Bury (H)
NWCFL Premier Division
Matchday 29
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Preview
West welcome league-leaders Bury to Brookburn Road on Saturday for the club's first match of 2025.
Whilst West go into Saturday's match with the confidence of a side who have picked up four impressive victories in a row, Bury will undoubtedly be one of the tougher tests that West will face this season. The Shakers have only lost two league games so far and they have scored an average of three goals a game, which is considerably higher than any other side in the division.
They have five players whose goal tallies are well into double-figures, but their standout player at the moment seems to be Djavan 'DJ' Pedro, who has scored 15 goals in 14 games since joining Bury at the end of October. Elsewhere, prolific winger Rustam Stepans has scored 18 goals after his move from Charnock Richard (where he managed 24 goals last season) and forward Bryan Ly has also added 15 himself since joining from Wythenshawe in the summer. He scored 30 goals last season to propel the Ammies to the NWCFL Premier Division title and he has today been joined at Bury by the division's current top scorer Lewis-Simon Byrne, who has moved to Gigg Lane from title rivals Chadderton. These examples illustrate the calibre of players that Bury have recruited to go one further than their playoff final defeat last season.
Bury have not had it all their own way this season though, and they are level on points with neighbours Ramsbottom United, who also have a game in hand at the time of writing. The Shakers have drawn 10 games - more than any other side in the division - and have recent blemishes on their away record after being held at Irlam and losing at Lower Breck and Litherland REMYCA.
Despite Bury's obvious strengths, West will still be confident going into this match. They have now won five of their last six, and the club's final match of 2024 saw a sensational 6-1 win away at Chadderton, who were themselves top of the table shortly before the Christmas period. Earlier in that run, West also recorded a 5-1 win at Silsden, who were top of the NCEL table at the time and so Bury's own form will not be something that puts fear into Paul Marshall's side.
West are boosted by the news that top scorer Jordan Lazenbury has signed a contract to keep him at the club until the end of the season. In addition to this, former Bury striker Andy Briggs truly announced himself to West fans last week by recording his first hat-trick for the club, and Victor Abadaki was also back amongst the goals with a brace from the bench. This lifted West back into the playoff spots with games in hand on those below them (although Padiham in 10th have four additional games to play themselves).
Briggs is not the only former Bury player in West's ranks, as club captain Jimmy Moore, Chris Rowney and Kris Holt have all enjoyed spells at Gigg Lane in recent seasons.
Tickets are now sold out and if the game is able to go ahead in spite of the recent poor weather in south Manchester, it will promise to be an entertaining match. Please keep an eye on the club's social media accounts and Whatsapp channel for news on any possible pitch inspections. The final tickets for Saturday's match are onsale from the Brookburn Road clubhouse from 6-8pm on Friday 3 January, and these are onsale to home fans only who can provide proof of an M or SK postcode.
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Bury at a glance
Home colours: White & Royal Blue / Blue / Blue
Change colours: Yellow & Blue / Yellow / Yellow
2023/24 position: 3rd
2024/25 average attendance: 2,592
Travelling distance: 12 miles
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Head to Head
Overall:
P5 W1 D1 L3 F5 A11
At The Step Places Stadium:
P3 W1 D0 L2 F2 A7
The last meeting between West and Bury came at Brookburn Road in October 2023. Bury ran out 3-0 winners that afternoon with two of the goals coming in second-half stoppage time.
Bury took the lead on the half-hour mark, and whilst West had the opportunity to respond immediately from the penalty spot, Darren McKnight missed from 12 yards. Rhain Davis was then dismissed shortly before the half-time break, and this was compounded by another red card within five minutes of the restart, as Matt Smyth was also sent off to reduce West to nine men. Bury also had a man sent off late on following an off-the-ball incident, and it took them until the 91st minute to double the lead and put the game beyond doubt. This was followed up by a third away goal in the 98th minute by now-West striker Andy Briggs.
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Form Guide
West
Position: 5th
Form position: 3rd
Last six overall: WWWWLW
Home position: 5th
Last six home: WWWLLW
Bury
Position: 1st
Form position: 6th
Last six overall: WDWDDW
Away position: 3rd
Last six away: WDLWLW
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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.
