FC St Helens (A) \\\ Matchday Info
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Preview
West are back on the road this Tuesday night and are heading to St Helens with the aim of recording a fourth consecutive league win - a feat not achieved since the famous win at Barnton exactly 100 games ago.
This away trip will feel like something of a novelty for West fans after playing seven of the last eight matches on home turf. West do remain unbeaten away from home this season, and the last two outings saw 2-1 and 5-1 wins at Glossop North End and Longridge Town respectively.
FC St Helens have started the season in excellent form since their promotion from Division One North last season. They sit 4th in the table having played 11 games, with a points-per-game (ppg) record bettered only by Bury. Even then, St Helens are just 0.02 PPG behind the Shakers.
The Stripes are now winless in three, however. On Saturday they lost 2-1 at Stockport Town in the FA Vase, prior to which they were held to consecutive 2-2 draws against Burscough and Charnock Richard. It must be said though that their start to the season prior to these games has largely been faultless, as they had only dropped points when defeated by league leaders Ramsbottom United and held to a draw by 3rd placed Lower Breck.
Their main threat comes from leading scorer Joseph Barker - who has scored eight goals from eight starts - but Josh Hall and Tom McNamara have also contributed to an attack averaging almost three goals per game.
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FC St Helens At A Glance
Home colours: Red & white / red / red
Change colours: Royal blue / blue / blue
Pitch surface: Grass
2023/24 position: 1st, NWCFL D1 North (promoted)
2023/24 average attendance: 168
Travelling distance: 26 miles
West away season round trip: 248 miles
For the third time in a fortnight, West are facing a side they have never before played in a competitive fixture.
FC St Helens are a relatively new club, formed in 2014 following a split from St Helens Town reserves. They were admitted into the North West Counties League Division One North in 2022 and reached the playoff final in their first season, losing on penalties to Chadderton. The Stripes made no mistake second time around though, winning the division by nine points.
They play at Windleshaw Sports Ground, the former home of St Helens RFC and the location of their first ever ‘organised’ rugby match in 1890 against Wigan RLFC.
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Form Guide
FC St Helens
Position: 4th
Form position: 10th
Last six overall: LDDWWW
Last six home: DWWWDW
West
Position: 16th
Form position: 14th
Last six overall: WLLWWL
Last six away: WWDDLL
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Browse through our wonderful match galleries, from club photographers:
Nathan Ashmall, Chris Michell, Jack Todd and Christina Bowett.
