Wythenshawe Town (H) \\\ Match Information

• Saturday 6th April 2024 
• 3:00pm kickoff - gates open at 1:30pm and we advise arriving early to avoid queuing or delays
• NWCFL Premier Division, Matchday 44
• 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

West's Men’s team play their final home match of the season this Saturday as Wythenshawe Town are welcomed to Brookburn Road.

West Chairman Steve Eckersley stated in his most recent programme notes that West “simply hadn’t been good enough this season” and, while the intention will undoubtedly be to end the home campaign on a high, this weekend’s fixture will be a tough one.

Wythenshawe Town have won eight of their last ten matches and will be full of confidence having just completed a league double over local rivals and fellow title contenders Wythenshawe on Bank Holiday Monday. West, by contrast, had to battle their way to two home draws against the out-of-form Ramsbottom United and Irlam over the course of the Easter Weekend.

Town are top of both the league table and the form table, losing only two league games since October. Tom Bentham in has been in particularly prolific form of late, with ten goals in his last ten league appearances, and 17 league goals since joining the club in late October. EFL veteran George Boyd has chipped in with eight goals in twelve starts since joining in December and Jim Simms recently registered his first goal for the club after a surprise move from Hull City.

Unusually for a table-topping side, Town have neither the most abundant attack nor the most frugal defence - however West manager Chris Rowley will be acutely aware that nearly a third of their goals scored have come in the final 15 minutes of matches. West will therefore need to be at their best from the first whistle to the last to have any prospect of a result.

They are currently involved in a three-horse race for the Premier Division title with neighbours Wythenshawe and Bury and, by virtue of this season being the first to have four playoff spots behind the automatically promoted league champions, they will be confident of finally making it to the Northern Premier Division Division One West following back-to-back third place finishes in 21/22 and 22/23.

They underwent a large rebuild last summer under the stewardship of former Cheadle Heath Nomads manager Rory Fallon, and what's required to take the opportunity they've given themselves is clear and in their own hands - wins against West, playoff hopefuls Chadderton and already-relegated Skelmersdale United will see Town up.

West didn't win any of their final five homes games last season and a failure to get the W on Saturday will mean the unwanted feat is repeated.

Likely to be without fan favourites Darren McKnight, Zeke Eme and Matty Cook for the final home game of the season, Lee Grimshaw is also a doubt after aggravating a hamstring injury during a brief substitute apperance in the 1-1 draw with Irlam. Manager Chris Rowley is expected back in the dugout; his assistant and deputy Chris Adams oversaw the two Easter draws.

It's undoubtedly going to be a very tough match on Saturday but, whatever happens, everyone at West Didsbury & Chorlton want to thank all supporters who have come down to Brookburn Road this season and shown unwavering support through some difficult periods this season. We're expecting a large crowd on Saturday so please try and arrive early and get behind the lads for one final time on home soil this season.

History

Wythenshawe Town were founded in 1946. They originally played at Hough End Fields but have played at Ericstan Park since 1974. The name ‘Ericstan’ is a blend of the names of their two founding members, Eric Renard and Stanley Hahn. Town’s crest is also a nod to Eric and Stan’s legacy, as it incorporates a fox (‘Renard’ in French) and a cockerel (‘Hahnchen’ in German).

Despite being a strong force in the NWCFL Premier Division in recent seasons, Wythenshawe Town are relatively new to semi-professional football, playing their first NWCFL season only in 2017/18. They were promoted to the Premier Division in 2021 based on the points accumulated during the two curtailed Covid seasons.

Form Guide

West Didsbury & Chorlton
Position: 15th
Form position: 20th
Last six overall: DDLLDD
Last six home: DDLDWW

Wythenshawe Town
Position: 1st
Form position: 1st
Last six overall: WWWWLW
Last six away: WLLWLW

Last Meeting

Tuesday 1st August 2023
NWCFL Premier Division
Wythenshawe Town 3 West 1
West scorers: Joe Worrall (og) 5
Attendance: 462

Recent Meetings

West have beaten Wythenshawe Town only once in the six meetings during the Counties era. That win came in particularly emphatic fashion last January when three second-half goals from Billy Matthews, Rhain Davis and JJ Kirongozi and a penalty save from Andrew Jones sealed the points in what was one of West's most complete performances of the season.

There was no repeat at Ericstan Park earlier this season as West lost 3-1 on Matchday 2 in August.

West are yet to beat Wythenshawe Town at Brookburn Road and will hope to put that record right this weekend.

Head to Head

Overall:
P6 W1 D2 L3 F8 A13

At The Step Places Stadium:
P2 W0 D1 L1 F1 A3

Quick Info

Home colours: All blue
Change colours: All yellow
Travelling distance: 5 miles
Last season's position: 3rd, NWCFL Premier
Last season's average attendance: 256

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.

Weekend fixtures
Saturday 6th April 2024
NWCFL Premier Division
Burscough (21st) v Glossop North End (20th)
Bury (3rd) v AFC Liverpool (13th)
Cheadle Town (16th) v Ramsbottom United (18th)
Colne (14th) v Skelmersdale United (24th)
FC Isle of Man (11th) v Lower Breck (8th) (6pm)
Irlam (12th) v Prestwich Heys (5th)
Kendal Town (6th) v Chadderton (4th)
Litherland REMYCA (10th) v Longridge Town (22nd)
Padiham (7th) v Charnock Richard (9th)
Wythenshawe (2nd) v Pilkington (23rd)
The Macron Cup Semi-Final
Barnoldswick Town v Alsager Town

Pictures by Simon Cook & Chris Michell