Stockport Town (H)
NWCFL Premier Division
Matchday 24
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Preview
West host Stockport Town on Saturday to open the second half of the 2024/25 league season, following a morale-boosting win over Wythenshawe Town on Tuesday night.
The teams have identical records over their last six matches - each winning two, then losing three, and then winning last time out. It's fair to say that during these spells both clubs have lost games they'd have expected to win - with such losses accounting for two of Colne's three league wins this season. On the flip side however, both West and Stockport have also enjoyed impressive wins that explain why they're still at the right end of the table.
West's most eye-catching result was Tuesday's win at Wythenshawe Town - only West's third-ever win at a step 4 club - while Stockport have beaten 2nd-placed Chadderton and remarkably came from a goal down in the 89th minute to beat AFC Liverpool 2-1 last weekend.
7th-placed Town sit one position and one point above West, albeit having played two games more. They have a better away record than they do on the artificial surface of the Stockport Sports Village, and only Chadderton and FC Isle of Man - who also both play on a plastic pitch- have won more away games than the Lions across the division.
They also have some West connections in their ranks, with centre-back Markell Foulds having an impressive season with six Player of the Match awards so far following his move from M21, and former West forward Danny McLaughlin has scored three goals in 14 games since re-joining from Cheadle Town at the end of September. Zeke Eme also had a brief spell in Stockport this season after leaving West, but has since left to join Cheadle Heath Nomads.
West enjoy a 100% record over Stockport Town at Brookburn Road, winning all five meetings here - more than any other opponents - with little over a month since the most recent of those victories. Nine-man West won 2-0 that afternoon to eliminate the Lions from the FA Vase, and you can read the report from that match HERE.
A cause for celebration for West could be the 150th appearance of Billy Matthews, who is set to become only the fifth player to reach this milestone in our NWCFL history.
Brookburn Road is now a donation station for any new toys/books/gifts and food for our friends at Chorlton Bike Deliveries. Click the link at the top of this article for more information and please drop off any donations you have at the clubhouse starting on Saturday, until December 8th.
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Form Guide
West
Position: 8th
Form position: 7th
Last six overall: WLLLWW
Home position: 5th
Last six home: LLWWWW
Stockport Town
Position: 7th
Form position: 8th
Last six overall: WLLLWW
Away position: 5th
Last six away: LWWLWL
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Stockport Town At A Glance
Home colours: Red / black / black
Change colours: All yellow
2023/24 position: 2nd, NWCFL D1 South (promoted)
2024/25 average attendance: 248
Travelling distance: 11 miles
Stockport Town are one of the younger clubs in the division, founded in February 2014. They were accepted into Division One of the North West Counties Football League the following spring, where they remained until promotion at the end of last season.
This promotion was unusual in that it came despite losing in the playoff final to Abbey Hey. A vacancy at step 5 of the non-League pyramid allowed the highest performing step 6 club that had not been promoted on the pitch to be elevated. Town earned that place on a points-per-game basis on the basis.
They are managed by Paul Turnbull, who himself amassed 125 appearances for Stockport County and remains the youngest ever player to play for the Hatters.
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Head to Head
Overall:
P8 W6 D1 L1 F14 A8
At The Step Places Stadium:
P5 W5 D0 L0 F11 A5
Unlike our recent opponents (AFC Liverpool, Ramsbottom United, Wythenshawe Town), Town hold an inferior record against West.
The Lions haven't beaten West since December 2019 and, with the exception of the 1-1 draw at the start of this season, West have enjoyed an unblemished record since then.
Despite this, games between the two teams have always been close, with West's win last month the first time this fixture has been separated by more than one goal.
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Browse through our wonderful match galleries, from club photographers:
Nathan Ashmall, Chris Michell, Jack Todd and Christina Bowett.
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Directions
We encourage supporters to use public transport, cycle or walk if possible.
By car:
There is no parking available at the ground for supporters, except for pre-booked disability access.
Please instead use Hardy Farm, M21 8DP.
Disability spaces must be accessed no later than one hour before kickoff and all vehicles will be unable to exit until 15 minutes after the final whistle to ensure the safety of all supporters leaving the stadium.
There is additional public car parking on Chorlton Ees opposite The Bowling Green pub, who are also allowing supporters to use the pub car park, but there is little other on-street parking.
Please also note that there is no parking available on Brookburn Road itself, nor the surrounding Chorltonville area, as they are privately maintained, exclusively for the use of residents.
By public transport:
The Step Places Stadium is one mile from Chorlton Metrolink station, on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines. Follow Google Maps directions to find your way to the ground.
If you are travelling from outside the Greater Manchester area, the Metrolink network can be accessed from any of Manchester’s central train stations. Visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website for tram times and more information.
By cycle:
The Step Places Stadium is a perfect location for those who cycle, being located next to the River Mersey, Sale Ees and only a few minutes away from the Fallowfield Cycle Loop. We have secure bicycle racks inside the ground to lock up your bike throughout the game. Please ask a volunteer if you need assistance.
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Prohibited items
Bringing pyrotechnics, drums/instruments and/or alcohol into the ground is prohibited. It is a criminal offence to bring pyrotechnics into any stadium. Stewards may conduct bag searches for prohibited items upon entrance to the stadium. Bag searches are a condition of entry and your co-operation is greatly appreciated. Spectators who break these rules may be banned from the ground and any pyrotechnics and/or alcohol will be confiscated.
