Longridge Town (H)
NWCFL Premier Division
Matchday 45
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Preview
West host Longridge Town on Saturday in the club's final home game of the season. Whilst a position in the playoffs is all-but-confirmed, a point on Saturday will definitively seal the deal. West's place would also be confirmed if Irlam fail to win at Prestwich Heys.
Notwithstanding the comfortable position that West now sit in, manager Paul Marshall has stressed the importance of going into the playoffs in good form. West have won their last two games - most recently with an emphatic 6-1 win at AFC Liverpool - and Saturday's match represents a good opportunity to record a third successive win. After a strong and prolific start to the season, opponents Longridge Town are now languishing in 18th and are unable to finish any higher than where they currently sit. They have struggled in recent weeks, and no team has picked up fewer points than Longridge over the last six matches. Saturday's visitors have also failed to score a single goal during that run, and they are now winless in eight.
Longridge do have one of the top scorers in the league in Liam Atkinson, who has hit the net 23 times this season. He hasn't scored a league goal since the first week of January, however.
Only bottom-side Squires Gate have conceded more than the 107 goals that Longridge Town have shipped over the course of this season, and nearly a third of those goals have come in the final 15 minutes of their matches. They have the unusual record of having both won and lost league matches by an 8-0 scoreline this season.
West are likely to be boosted by a number of key individuals returning from injury this Saturday. And whilst the form guide looks promising for this match, West will know that there is no room for complacency given their indifferent record against the teams in the lower third of the league table. That said, West did win the reverse fixture in September by five goals to one - you can remind yourself of that win HERE.
West fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early on Saturday for what is likely to be another capacity crowd. There will once again be Happy Hour drinks offers in place until 2:30pm. There will, as ever, be burritos from Wrapscallion, and coffee & cake stall Sweet Talk are also going to be selling ice creams. Be sure to come down early, beat the queues and support these local traders.
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Form Guide
West
Position: 5th
Form position: 10th
Home position: 4th
Last six overall: WWLDWL
Last six home: WDWLWD
Londridge Town
Position: 18th
Form position: 23rd
Away position: 19th
Last six overall: LLLLDL
Last six away: LDLWLW
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Longridge Town At A Glance
Home colours: All red
Change colours: All blue
2023/24 position: 19th, NWCFL Premier
2024/25 average attendance: 213
Travelling distance: 41 miles
Longridge Town Football Club was formed in 1996 when the two main clubs in Longridge, United and St. Wilfrid’s, amalgamated to create a single club with the ultimate aim of bringing a higher standard of football to the town.
Although the present club has only been in existence little over a quarter of a century, the two clubs from which it was formed have histories which can be traced back to the 19th century.
Both of these clubs were based on sectarian grounds and played in their respective religious leagues. This situation existed until 1929 when Longridge St. Lawrence became a non-sectarian club and changed its name to Longridge United.
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Head to Head
Overall:
P6 W4 D1 L1 F21 A11
At Brookburn Road:
P2 W1 D1 L0 F6 A5
West have never lost at home to Longridge Town. The last two meetings have seen West win 4-3 and draw 2-2. Ben Elliott scored five of the six goals across those two meetings, and Lewis Billingsley scored West's first goal in the 4-3 win that came in September 2023.
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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.
