Key details

️ vs Hanley Town
? Tuesday 18 December
⏰ 7.45pm
? Brookburn Road, Chorlton, M21 8FE
? North West Counties Football League
? £5 / £3 / U16s Free
? Free glass of mulled wine for all supporters

Match preview

Having seen his side ace their first test under his tutelage, David Powell makes his home managerial debut as West boss as similarly struggling Hanley Town come to Brookburn Road for our final home game before Christmas.

The gap between West's prior fixture against Charnock Richard and last weekend's win over Whitchurch Alport was 18 days, during which Powell was appointed to his position. The lnegthy break and change in managerial structure mean form is difficult to judge, but Saturday's 2-0 win has given the club a platform to build on if survival is to be attained.

While West were winning in Whitchurch, Hanley fell to a 1-0 loss away at Ashton Athletic. The scene of more than one nadir for the home side, a slim loss at Brocstedes Park is nothing to be ashamed of, but it was an opportunity for Town to maintain their 9 point gap over West in the relegation zone. Their fixture prior to that saw Hanley welcome Whitchurch to the Potteries Park, who left Stoke-on-Trent with a 6-1 win. As it stands a loss for Town would put them within 3 points of West having played a game more.

Hanley themselves welcomed a new manager earlier in the season, with Simon Bell taking up the role having previously coached at Chasetown and Leek Town. Regardless of time in the job, this is a game that neither manager will be comfortable with losing.

At a glance

Previous meetings