Ramsbottom United (H) \\\ Match Information

• Friday 29th March 2024 
• 1:30pm kickoff - gates open at 12:30pm and we advise arriving early to avoid queuing or delays
• NWCFL Premier Division, Matchday 42
• The Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8FE
• Season tickets are in use, or pay on the gate with cash or card
  • £7 adults,
  • £5 students / 60+ / 16 and under
  • Free under 12s
• Dogs welcome
• Food and drink available

Live news and text commentary on Twitter @wd_cfc

Preview

Good Friday sees the start of an Easter weekend double-header as West welcome Ramsbottom United to Brookburn Road.

Ramsbottom are one of only two teams that sit below West in the form table and, with the backing of what should be a bumper crowd at Brookburn Road, West will see this as an opportunity to bounce back from last Saturday’s 5-1 drubbing at in-form Padiham.

Ramsbottom currently sit in 18th, four places below West. They have picked up just one point from their last seven matches, and that solitary point came in unfortunate circumstances as they surrendered a 3-0 lead against Burscough with less than half an hour to play to draw 3-3. Rammy haven’t won away from home since before Christmas and have scored fewer goals on their travels than any other team in the division outside the current bottom two. This has not been helped by top scorer Matthew Dudley leaving the club in January to join Kendal Town, and they now largely rely on attacking winger Kuda Chingwaro for goals. Chingwaro has an impressive tally of 17 goals for the campaign and has recently rejoined Rammy following a short spell at Wythenshawe Town.

West come into this match with just one win in eight games. There are no new injury or suspensions following the defeat at Padiham, although Andrew Jones is expected to return to challenge for the number 1 position in Ally Hughes' absence.

Friday football at Brookburn Road is a rare treat - however its 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.

History

Ramsbottom were founded in 1966 and their current chairman, Harry Williams, has held this position for the duration of their history. The first thirty years of their history were played at amateur level, and they eventually joining the North West Counties Football League in 1995. They made it as far as Step 3 of the non-league pyramid in 2014 but experienced their first-ever relegation two years later to drop back into the Northern Premier Division Division One West. They were then relegated again last summer and are playing their first season back in the Counties since winning the Premier Division in 2012.

It is therefore unsurprising that West and Rammy’s paths have rarely crossed before. The sides first met in the Lancashire Challenge trophy in 2014, which saw West fall to a 3-0 defeat in the second round. Aside from that, the league meeting in August was the first competitive fixture between the two sides.

Form Guide

West Didsbury & Chorlton
Position: 14th
Form position: 22nd
Last six overall: LLDDWL
Last six home: LDWWLL

Ramsbottom United
Position: 18th
Form position: 23rd
Last six overall: LLDLLL
Last six away: LLDLLD

Last Meeting

Tuesday 15th August 2023
NWCFL Premier Division
Ramsbottom United 2 West 2
West scorers: Rhain Davis 66, Lewis Billingsley 86
Attendance: 295

Recent Meetings

Conversely to the upcoming fixture, both sides went into August’s match having each won three of their first four competitive outings of the season. Rammy took a two goal lead into the break that night, but West fought back well to level the scores with five minutes to play.

With the match level at 2-2 going into the final stages and West continuing the throw players forward, a famous away win was denied by the narrowest of margins when Darren McKnight’s shot inside the area stuck the inside of the post before the referee called time on an exciting contest between two teams who will have undoubtedly expected more from their respective seasons than has materialised.

Head to Head

Overall:
P2 W0 D1 L1 F2 A5

At The Step Places Stadium:
No previous meetings

Quick Info

Home colours: Blue / blue / white
Change colours: Red / black / red
Travelling distance: 23 miles
Last season's position: 20th, NPL Division 1 West (relegated)
Last season's average attendance: 285

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 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
NWCFL Premier Division
Saturday 30th March 2024
AFC Liverpool (15th) v Charnock Richard (10th)
Bury (3rd) v Wythenshawe (2nd)
Irlam (12th) v Burscough (22nd)
Kendal Town (7th) v Glossop North End (19th)
Padiham (5th) v Chadderton (4th)
Pilkington (23rd) v Barnoldswick Town (17th)
Prestwich Heys (6th) v Colne (13th)

Pictures by Simon Cook & Chris Michell