Padiham (A) \\\ Match Information

• Saturday 23rd March 2024 
• 3:00pm kickoff
• NWCFL Premier Division, Matchday 41
• Ruby Civil Arena, Arbories Memorial Sports Ground, Well Street, Padiham, Lancashire, BB12 8LE
• Food and drink available inside the ground - bar, clubhouse and tuck shop
• Pay on the gate, cash or card:
  • £7 adults
  • £4 concessions / OAPs
  • Free under 16s
• It's Non League Day 2024 - Padiham are offering half-price entry to all Premier League and EFL season ticket holders. More details HERE

Live text commentary on Twitter @wd_cfc

Preview

West travel up the M66 this Saturday to face in-form Padiham with only half a dozen matches remaining of the 2023/24 season.

Although West have nothing to play for, the determination to make amends for a disappointing performance at home to Glossop North End last weekend will be strong. Despite taking a 1-0 lead into the break, West were overrun in the second half and conceded twice, enabling the Hillmen to maintain their 100% all-time record at Brookburn Road - four wins from four.

No team in the NWCFL Premier Division would relish a trip to Padiham on current form. Only league leaders Wythenshawe have picked up more than Padiham's 15 points in the form table, and the Storks haven't dropped a single point on home soil since losing to the Ammies back in November.

Padiham made a slow start to the season - sitting 16 points and 17 places below West at the end of September - but have earned a spectacular 56 points from the last 27 games to drag themselves up the table and into playoff contention. They currently sit in sixth place, one point outside the post-season zone, in need of Chadderton and Prestwich Heys to slip up in their games in hand, but well placed to do so given the form they are in.

The main threats come from Joel Brownhill - older brother of Burnley's Josh - who has 26 goals to his name, while Joel Melia and Tyler James, scorer of both goals in the reverse fixture, are each into double figures.

West are likely to select from the same pool of available players, minus last season's Young Player of the Year Markell Foulds, who has joined Stockport Town. Club captain Matty Cook may be fit to return after sitting out the last two games.

Despite all signs pointing towards a home win this Saturday, those in attendance should bear in mind the same forecasts were made prior to recent away trips to Litherland REMYCA and Charnock Richard, games West ultimately took four points from. With another excellent following, another away upset cannot be ruled out.

Meet our opponents

Padiham are one of the oldest clubs in England, established in 1878. They were central to the formation of the Lancashire FA and, at that time, were one of the strongest club sides in the North West. Padiham were in fact pioneers in paving the way for the legalisation of professional football, which was achieved in 1885. That was, though, unfortunately the start of their downfall, as they subsequently struggled to attract players who preferred the bright lights and riches of nearby Burnley and Blackburn Rovers.

The original club folded in 1916 after losing their ground on the River Calder during the First World War. The club was resurrected in 1949 when their current home, the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground, was built.

They were founder members of the North West Counties Football League in 1982 and have been in the Premier Division since 2015. They have largely finished in the mid-table spots, and this season will be the first since 2016/17 that they won’t have finished between 12th and 18th.

Form Guide

Padiham
Position: 6th
Form position: 2nd
Last six overall: WWLWWW
Last six home: WWWWWW

West Didsbury & Chorlton
Position: 13th
Form position: 17th
Last six overall: LDDWLD
Last six away: DLWLLL

Last Meeting

Saturday 30th December 2023
NWCFL Premier Divison
West 0 Padiham 2
Attendance: 560

Recent Meetings

West hold a solid record against the Storks. Of the 12 meetings between the sides to date, West have seven wins, including a league double last season. 

The previous meeting earlier this season came in the midst of a winter slump for West, Padiham winning 2-0 at The Step Places Stadium to send West into the New Year with a defeat, inflicting a fifth straight defeat on Chris Rowley's men in the process.

Head to Head

Overall:
P12 W7 D1 L4 F26 A21

At The Ruby Civil Arena:
P5 W2 D0 L3 F8 A13

Quick Info

Travelling distance: 34 miles
West away 2023/24 round trip: 1,476 miles
Last season's position: 14th, NWCFL Premier
Last season's average attendance: 231
Pitch: Grass
Home colours: All blue
Change colours: All red

Other weekend fixtures
NWCFL Premier Division
Saturday 23rd March 2024
Glossop North End (19th) v Barnoldswick Town (16th)
Irlam (12th) v Chadderton (4th)
Kendal Town (7th) v Lower Breck (8th)
Longridge Town (20th) v Charnock Richard (10th)
Pilkington (21st) v Burscough (23rd)
Skelmersdale United (24th) v Prestwich Heys (5th)
Wythenshawe (1st) v Cheadle Town (17th)
Wythenshawe Town (2nd) v Colne (11th)
FC Isle of Man (14th) v Ramsbottom United (18th) (6pm)
Sunday 24th March
AFC Liverpool (15th) v Squires Gate (22nd)

Pictures by Simon Cook & Chris Michell