Burscough (H) \\\ Matchday Info

• Saturday 10th August 2024 
• 3:00pm kickoff - gates open at 1:30pm and we advise arriving early to avoid queuing or delays
• NWCFL Premier Division, Matchday 3
• The Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8FE
• Parking at Hardy Farm, M21 8DP
• Pay on the gate with cash or card or buy in advance via Shocal
  • £7 adults
  • £5 students, 60+, 16 and under
  • Free under 12s
• Dogs welcome
• Food and drink available throughout the ground

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Live radio commentary on Westlive

Preview

For the second consecutive Saturday, Burscough are the visitors to Brookburn Road. The sides met last weekend in the FA Cup with Lewis Billingsley giving West a last-gasp winner to settle a thrilling Cup tie that will live long in the memory of West fans. We're back to the bread and butter of league football this weekend though, and both teams will be looking to build on good starts to their respective campaigns.

Burscough have won one and lost one of their opening two matches in the NWCFL Premier Division. The Linnets suffered a 1-0 loss at Longridge Town on the opening day before coming back to beat Squires Gate 4-2 on the following Tuesday night. While they left M21 empty-handed last weekend, West will be acutely aware that Burscough dominated the second-half after finding themselves two goals down at half-time and were perhaps unlucky not to take the win despite. The scorer of their equaliser, Delial Brewter, has scored in back-to-back games and they certainly showed enough going forward to indicate that this will be another tough test for Paul Marshall’s side.

West's squad continues to take shape, which is creating competition in a number of positions. Lewis Billingsley first appearance of the season gives a decision to make, with Cameron Darkwah having started the season in the number 7 shirt. Likewise Victor Abadaki's first start means a choice must be made between him and Lee Grimshaw for the number 9 shirt. Otherwise Donovan Lescott has impressed off the bench and Tom Murray is also in the reckoning after a heavy knock in the latter stages of pre-season.

Past Meetings

West have won their last five competitive meetings with Burscough and last Saturday’s 3-2 win was the closest the visitors have come to laying a glove on West in that period.

Coincidentally, it was the same weekend last season that West hosted Burscough in the league. The sides met on August 12th, with more than a hint of deja vu as West also came into that match on the back of an opening day 3-0 home win and an FA Cup victory.

West eased to a 3-1 win that afternoon before completing the league double with a comfortable 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture in February.

All five of West’s goals against Burscough last season were scored by one of the small group of players who remained at the club over summer. Billy Matthews and Lewis Billingsley have now both scored in all three of the competitive fixtures between the sides over the last 12 months, with Lee Grimshaw the scorer of West’s third goal this time last year..

The sides have met in 10 competitive fixtures during the Counties era, averaging just shy of five goals per game. If history - or even last weekend - is anything to go by, there should be an entertaining afternoon in store.

Head to Head

Overall:
P10 W7 D0 L3 F27 A22

At The Step Places Stadium:
P6 W4 D0 L2 F14 A14

Quick Info

Home colours: All green
Change colours: All purple
Travelling distance: 38 miles
Last season's position: 20th, NWCFL Premier
Last season's average attendance: 168

History

The first Burscough Association Football Club was formed in 1880 although their existence was short-lived and the club folded in 1900. Five years later Burscough Rangers were established and continued to operate as the town’s football club until the start of the Second World War.

In 1946, Burscough FC were founded, and they have continued to operate across the non-league pyramid ever since. They are founding members of the NWCFL and hold the honour of being the league’s first ever champions in 1981.

Burscough’s most successful spell arguably came at the turn of the current millennium, and their greatest day came in 2003 when they beat Tamworth to lift the FA Trophy at Villa Park. Two years later they had a similarly impressive cup campaign, reaching the Second Round of the FA Cup. This run included a win against League One Gillingham before bowing out 4-1 to Burton Albion, falling 90 minutes short of a third-round tie at home to Manchester United.

Any disappointment was short-lived though when they won a treble the following season, which winning the Northern Premier League title on goal difference, to go within two divisions of the Football League. Such successes have not been sustained in the intervening 15 years and they were relegated into to the NWCFL Premier Division in 2017/18.

Burscough were coincidentally the first ever team to eliminate West from the FA Cup, winning at Brookburn Road in August 2013.

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.

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.

Weekend fixtures
NWCFL Premier Division
Saturday 10th August 2024
Abbey Hey v AFC Liverpool
Barnoldswick Town v Chadderton
Bury v Irlam
Charnock Richard v Pilkington
FC Isle of Man v Longridge Town (6pm)
FC St Helens v Ramsbottom United
Glossop North End v South Liverpool
Litherland REMYCA v Stockport Town
Lower Breck v Padiham
Prestwich Heys v Colne
Squires Gate v Cheadle Town

Pictures by Chris Michell