Squires Gate (H)
NWCFL Premier Division
Matchday 30
Click HERE for updates on WhatsApp
___________________________________________
Preview
West's last two outings have seen the club bow out of both the FA Vase and the Manchester Premier Cup. It means that there is now just one target to focus on with 16 league games to play, and that is to win promotion to Step 4 of the non-league pyramid. It will take a very strong finish to the campaign for West to have any hope of achieving this aim, and Paul Marshall's side will want to set the tone for that challenge when Squires Gate arrive at Brookburn Road on Tuesday night.
West haven't played a league game since the 4-0 demolition of Bury on 4th January, and recent cup disappointments make it easy to forget that the club is still on a run of four consecutive league wins. West remain in 5th despite not playing in the league for over a fortnight, but only goal difference now separates them and 6th place Padiham, who sit just outside the playoff places with two games in hand. Padiham have won eight in a row, which is only bettered by 4th place Lower Breck who are currently on a run of nine wins on the spin. This illustrates the consistency and quality of the sides who will be competing alongside West for a coveted spot in the top 5 come April.
Opponents Squires Gate are on a very different run of form altogether. They have lost 12 in a row and have not picked up a single point on the road since 7th September. They are hurtling towards the division's relegation places and, due to the improved form of both Colne and Prestwich Heys - both of whom looked doomed a few weeks ago - Squires Gate will be looking very nervously over their shoulder. They are now just one point above 23rd placed Colne, who themselves have two games in hand over Gate.
The Blues may have a case to argue that 12 losses in a row isnt a fair reflection of how they've performed over that period. Two weeks ago they were 3-2 up against Pilkington in the 88th minute before going on to lose 4-3, and it took stoppage time winners for FC St Helens and title-chasers Ramsbottom United to take all three points when they hosted Saturday's visitors. Gate were also less than five minutes from securing a respectable point against in-form Charnock Richard on Boxing Day, and there is a pattern which suggests that they are vulnerable late on in games. West fans should therefore keep the faith if the game remains in the balance during the closing stages.
Despite their poor run, Squires Gate do have a better attack than many other teams in the bottom half of the table. They have three players who are in double-figures for the season, although leading goalscorer James Boyd has not featured for the visitors since early December. Their main threat on Tuesday is likely to be forward Dean Ing, who has scored 11 goals in 22 games this season. He has also bagged three goals across his last two trips to Brookburn Road, although that was when he played for Gate's local rivals Longridge Town. He may well be a name that stands out for West fans, as one of those goals was scored from his own half during a 2-2 draw in April 2023.
There are five other matches taking place in the Premier Division on Tuesday night, and the most significant one from West's perspective is 3rd placed Chadderton's trip to Padiham.
__________________________________________
Form Guide
West
Position: 5th
Form position: 5th
Home position: 5th
Last six overall: LLWWWW
Last six home: WWWLLW
Squires Gate
Position: 22nd
Form position: 24th
Away position: 24th
Last six overall: LLLLLL
Last six away: LLLLLL
___________________________________________
Squires Gate at a glance
Home colours: All blue
Change colours: All red
2023/24 position: 23rd, NWCFL Premier
2024/25 average attendance: 149
Travelling distance: 52 miles
Squires Gate were formed in 1948 as Squires Gate British Legion, spending their first decade in the Blackpool & District Amateur League. In 1961, the club moved up to the West Lancashire League, where it remained for the next thirty years before election to the North West Counties Football League in 1991.
After ten years in the Second Division, Gate were promoted to the First Division in 2002 - which was renamed the Premier Division in 2008 - and have remained there ever since.
Despite a number of close calls, finishing 17th or lower seven times in the last 11 years, Gate proudly maintain a record of having never been relegated. They finished 23rd last season, albeit still 10 points ahead of bottom side Skelmersdale United.
__________________________________________
Head to Head
Overall
P20 W11 D2 L7 F42 A27
At the Step Places Stadium
P10 W3 D2 L5 F19 A18
West have won eight times in a row at Squires Gate but the record at Brookburn Road is less impressive, with no West wins on home turf since 2017.
West did beat Squires Gate 3-1 when the sides met in Blackpool earlier this season. West's goals came from Lee Grimshaw and a brace from Jordan Lazenbury. The match report is HERE.
___________________________________________
Browse through our wonderful match galleries, from club photographers:
Nathan Ashmall, Chris Michell, Jack Todd and Christina Bowett.
__________________________________________
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.
