Colne (H)
NWCFL Premier Division
Matchday 32
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Preview
West host 22nd-placed Colne on Saturday knowing that a win will be required to keep apace with the division's fellow playoff chasers.
Thursday's match at Lower Breck was postponed due to floodlight issues at the Anfield Community Sports Centre, and so West now approach Saturday's match with five wins and a draw from the last six league matches.
Visitors Colne are also in very good form. They looked to be cut well-adrift at the bottom for a good chunk of Autumn, but they have picked up some important wins recently to move themsleves above Squires Gate and Prestwich Heys with several games in hand over the bottom two. The Reds are unbeaten in 2025, albeit they have only played two matches since the turn of the year, which were a win over FC St Helens and a draw with Glossop North End. Prior to that, Colne had picked up important wins against Barnoldswick Town and Squires Gate, and they do now look in a strong position to claw themselves to safety.
Colne have only won two away games all season, however, and they have scored the fewest goals in the division.
Colne were worthy-winners when West travelled to the Haffners' Pies stadium in November. West were reduced to 10-men early in the second half following the dismissal of Jake Kenny, and Colne went on to win by two goals to nil. Our report is HERE.
Former West favourite Charlie Whiteoak is likely to feature for the visitors on Saturday, and he will hope to bounce back from an own goal he scored last weekend in his side's win over FC St Helens. The main threat from the Reds is likely to be forward Jude Entwistle. He has scored five goals in five games since joining Colne from Nelson in early December.
This is a weekend where West cannot really afford to slip up and games elsewhere do give Paul Marshall's side an opportunity to move back into the playoff spots. Chadderton (4th) host Padiham (5th) at 4pm, while 6th placed Irlam fly over to FC Isle of Man in 8th at 6pm. Stockport Town sit just below the core group of playoff hopefuls in 9th, but they could bring themselves back into the picture with a result at home to 2nd placed Bury.
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Form Guide
West
Position: 7th
Form position: 9th
Home position: 4th
Last six overall: DWLLWW
Last six home: DWWWWW
Colne
Position: 22nd
Form position: 6th
Away position: 22nd
Last six overall: WDLWDW
Last six away: WLLLWL
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Colne At A Glance
Home colours: All red
Change colours: Yellow / grey / grey
2023/24 position: 10th, NWCFL Premier
2024/25 average attendance: 269
Travelling distance: 42 miles
Colne FC was established in January 1996, six years after Colne Dynamoes folded after they were refused promotion to the Football Conference. They joined Division Two of the North West Counties League, going on to finish bottom in their first season. They won promotion to Division One in 03/04 whilst also reaching the FA Vase semi-finals before eventually losing 4–3 on aggregate to AFC Sudbury.
Division One was renamed the Premier Division in 2008 and in 2015/16 Colne were Premier Division champions, earning promotion to Division One North of the Northern Premier League. They remained at that level until finishing 23rd in 2022/23 and being relegated back to the NWCFL Premier Division, where they came 10th last season.
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Head to Head
Overall
P10 W3 D1 L6 F12 A19
At the Step Places stadium
P4 W1 D1 L3 F5 A5
West beat Colne at Brookburn Road for the first time on the opening day of last season, thanks to a brace from Darren McKnight and one from Ben Elliott. It was played on a warm and optimistic afternoon for West, and the match report and some fine photos of a sun-drenched Brookburn Road can be found HERE.
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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.
