West Didsbury & Chorlton v Pilkington

• Friday 3rd November 2023 
• 8:00pm kickoff - gates open at 6:30pm and we advise arriving early to avoid queuing or delays
• NWCFL Premier Division, Matchday 22
• The Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8FE
• Cash or card - £7 adults, £5 students / 60+ / 16 and under, Free under 12s
• Season tickets / pay on the gate / advance tickets available HERE
• Food and drink available 
• Dogs welcome

Preview

Pilkington make their first ever trip to Brookburn Road as West look to end a run of three consecutive defeats.

A spirited performance in the reverse fixture seven weeks ago - without doubt one of the best of the season - didn't get its reward. A trio of Pilkington equalisers meant one point rather than three for West, who had played the best part of an hour a man light. Wade Rutherford's last-gasp leveller also kept West waiting for their inaugural win over the Greens.

Still amongst the division's highest scorers, West are now without a goal in five hours of play and in search of a spark to ignite their autumn. Perhaps there's something about October - not since the tenth month of 2018 had three league games been lost on the bounce without scoring and we have to go all the way back to October 2013 to find a month containing fewer goals scored than the three mustered last month.

These aren't the only hoodoos ripe for breaking - Brookburn Road's four previous Friday games have all ended in defeat, most recently in November 2017. However, we've since seen a Good Friday win at Abbey Hey in 2018 and a great Friday win at Northwich Victoria in August 2022.

Ben Elliott and Lewis Billingsley are each a goal shy of double figures and the return to fitness of Darren McKnight, next on the Pichichi list with five, is a much welcome tonic.

Like West, Pilkington have also lost four of their last six and have thus far only tasted victory on the road against the two bottom teams, Squires Gate and Skelmersdale United. The Greens' attack is spearheaded by Chris Lomax and Adam Gilchrist, with 8 and 7 goals respectively, while Bruno Severino's transfer to Wythenshawe Town leaves a void not just quantified by his goal contribution of five.

Upper mid-table remains tightly packed - West could elevate themselves back into 4th with a win here, while Pilkington would close the gap to the playoffs to a single point if they were to leave M21 victorious.

History

The club was established in 1938 and joined both the Liverpool Business Houses League and the St Helens Combination. The name originates from the Pilkington glass factory in St Helens. They later became members of the Liverpool County Football Combination. In 1980 the club joined Division Two of the Mid-Cheshire League. When Division Two was abolished in 1983 they became part of the league's single division, finishing last in 1986/87 and returning to a re-created Division Two following two further last placed finishes in the next four seasons.

They were promoted back to Division One as runners-up in 1997/98 but finished bottom again in 1999/2000, winning a reprieve after another club resigned. The following season saw the club win the Liverpool Junior Cup, a trophy the club won again in 2004/05. 

In 2010/11 Pilkington were runners-up in Division One, missing out on the title on goal difference. The division was renamed the Premier Division in 2014 but the club suffered another relegation in 2014/15. They won the President's Cup in 2016/17, and after finishing as runners-up in Division One in 2017/18, were promoted back to the Premier Division. The following season saw them win the Premier Division title, resulting in promotion to Division One North of the North West Counties League, which they went on to win in 2022–23 and earn promotion to the NWCFL Premier Division.

Form Guide

West
Position: 6th
Form position: 21st
Last six overall: LLLWLD
Last six home: LWDDWW

Pilkington
Position: 11th
Form position: 17th
Last six overall: LWLLLW
Last six away: LLWDLD

Head to Head

Overall:
P2 W0 D1 L1 F3 A6

At The Step Places Stadium:
No previous meetings

Last Meeting

Saturday 16th September 2023, NWCFL Premier
Pilkington 3 West 3
West goals: Lee Grimshaw 3, 30, Lewis Billingsley 57
Attendance: 170

Quick Info

Travelling distance: 26 miles
Last season's position: 1st, NWCFL Division One North
Last season's average attendance: 139
Home colours: All green
Change colours: Pink / white / white

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 spaces.

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 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
Premier Division
Friday 3rd November 2023
West Didsbury & Chorlton v Pilkington
Saturday 4th November 2023
Barnoldswick Town v AFC Liverpool
Chadderton v Squires Gate
Colne v Prestwich Heys
Irlam v Wythenshawe
Kendal Town v Bury
Lower Breck v Charnock Richard
Padiham v Burscough
Skelmersdale United v Glossop North End

Pictures by Simon Cook & Chris Michell