Pilkington (H)
NWCFL Premier Division
Matchday 36
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Preview
West host a struggling Pilkington side on Saturday afternoon as the club look to return to winning ways.
Following Chadderton's defeat at Lower Breck on Thursday night, West know that three points on Saturday will move West above Chadderton and back into the top 5 ahead of four consecutive away trips. The good form of Irlam and the games in hand held by Padiham mean that anything less than a win this weekend will be a significant setback in the race for promotion.
West have never beaten Pilkington before but Saturday's meeting looks like a good place to start. The Green Army have hurtled towards the drop zone in recent weeks, and it took a stoppage time equaliser against fellow strugglers Prestwich Heys last weekend to prevent them from recording a sixth straight defeat. Pilkinton do have a five point buffer between themselves and the relegation places, but they have played two games fewer than 24th placed Colne. They are yet to beat a team in the division's top 10.
Saturday's visitors have two players who have scored at least 10 goals this season. Ryan Beigan scored his side's only goal against West during the 1-1 draw in St Helens back in August, and he is now on 19 for the season. Elsewhere, Gabriel Ellis has managed 10 goals but he has not featured since the end of January.
Saturday's match will also be the first played at Brookburn Road since the tragic passing of West goalkeeper coach Stephen Piggott. Piggo was an immensely popular figure across the whole club and there will be a minute's applause in his honour ahead of kick off.
West manager Paul Marshall has also set up a GoFundMe page to support Piggo's wife, Lisa. Please do visit the link to that page HERE and offer a donation if you are in a position to do so.
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Form Guide
West
Position: 6th
Form position: 7th
Home position: 5th
Last six overall: LWLWDW
Last six home: LWDWWW
Pilkington
Position: 24th
Form position: 10th
Away position: 19th
Last six overall: DLLLLL
Last six away: DLLWLL
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Pilkington At A Glance
Home colours: All green
Change colours: Pink / white or blue / white or blue
2023/24 position: 22nd, NWCFL Premier
2024/25 average attendance: 130
Travelling distance: 14 miles
Pilkington FC was established in 1938 and the name originates from the Pilkington glass factory in St Helens. Their history has largely been spent in amateur leagues across Liverpool and mid-Cheshire and they made their North West Counties debut in 2018/19 when they were promoted to Division One North. They did however complete a tour of Portugal prior to that in 1970, and found themselves watched by several thousand locals who had been drawn in by Pilkington’s touring name, Recs Pilkington de Liverpool, which they were disappointed to learn actually had no relation to the Anfield side.
Pilkington’s first two seasons at Step 6 of the football pyramid were disrupted by Covid-19, but they finished in 6th place in 2021/22 for their first complete season and they then went up as champions 12 months later. Despite a good start to life in Step 5 last season, they struggled after the turn of the year and limped to a 22nd place finish and joined West at the bottom of most form tables throughout 2024.
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Head to Head
Overall
P4 W0 D3 L1 F5 A8
At West
P1 W0 D1 L0 F1 A1
West are yet to beat Pilkington. Last season's meeting at Brookburn was played on a Tuesday night in early December. Benjamin Hampson opened the scoring for West just after the hour mark, but the visitors equalised four minutes later on a forgettable evening in M21.
The sides have already played this season and drew 1-1 at Pilkington. Lewis Billingsley gave West the lead after five minutes but the hosts drew level shortly before the interval and West failed to take their chances in the second half to bring three points back to Manchester.
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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.
