Squires Gate v West Didsbury & Chorlton

• Saturday August 26th 2023 
• 3:00pm kickoff
• NWCFL Premier Division, Matchday 6
• The Brian Addison Stadium, School Road, Marton, Blackpool, FY4 5DS
• Adults £7, Concessions £4, Under 16s Free
• Food and drink available
• Dogs welcome
• Live text updates via West on Twitter 

Preview

West head to Squires Gate to kick off a Bank Holiday double header, in search of points to stay in touch at the top of the fledgling NWCFL Premier Division table.

West are the only side to register multiple home wins without an away win while Gate are one of four without a win anywhere.

Indeed, West's away form remains the achilles heel - no wins in six since the April Fools Day defeat of Kendal Town and only three wins from 15 away trips stretching back to last October.

However, the Brian Addison Stadium is as good as place as any to break that run as West have won each of their last five league visits here, with an FA Cup victory inserted for good measure.

This is West's 18th meeting with Squires Gate - our second-most frequent opponent since joining the NLS in 2012 - and curiously it's the second consecutive trip to FY4 to coincide with national rail industrial action. 

History

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 six times in the last ten years, Gate proudly maintain a record of having never been relegated.

Form Guide

Squires Gate (23rd)
Last six overall: LLDLLD
Home: DDL

West (9th)
Last six overall: WLDWWL
Away: DL

Last Meeting

March 4th 2023, NWCFL Premier Division
Squires Gate 1 West 3
West goals: Ben Elliott 18, 57, Billy Matthews 70
Attendance: 120

Quick Info

Travelling distance: 52 miles (2023/24 total = 70)
Pitch: Grass
Last season's position: NWCFL Premier Division, 20th
Last season's average attendance: 101
Home colours: All blue
Change colours: All red

Facilities

Plenty of hard standing areas, both covered and uncovered. A fully stocked bar and kitchen with hot food and drinks available. 

Directions

By public transport:
Saturday August 26th is a designated National Rail industrial action day. As a result there are no trains running nationwide and instead a bus replacement service will operate between Manchester and Blackpool.
The number 14 bus runs from Blackpool town centre and stops outside the Shovels pub, a 5 minute walk from the ground. 

By car:
M55 to junction 4, turn left onto the A583, at first set of traffic lights turn right (Whitehill Road) follow sign for airport, at roundabout take Lytham St Anne's exit. Ground approx. 1.5 miles on right.

Large Car Park to the front of the club on School Road, Over flow Car Park on Common Edge which is the corner of School Road. Please note that the main car park is shared with Blackpool Wren Rovers so can fill up quickly on a Saturday afternoon.

Weekend fixtures
Saturday 26th August 2023
Premier Division
Bury v Cheadle Town
Litherland REMYCA v Wythenshawe Town
Longridge Town v FC Isle of Man
Pilkington v Irlam
Squires Gate v West Didsbury & Chorlton
The Isuzu FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
Barnoldswick Town v Billingham Synthonia
Cammell Laird v Burscough
Chadderton v Maine Road
Colne v Newcastle Benfield
Glossop North End v Cheadle Heath Nomads
Kendal Town v Route One Rovers
Lower Breck v Penistone Church
Padiham v Jarrow
Prestwich Heys v Beverley Town
Skelmersdale United v Daisy Hill
Staveley Miners Welfare v Charnock Richard
Wythenshawe v Rossington Main
Sunday 27th August 2023
The Isuzu FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
Worsborough Bridge Athletic v Ramsbottom United

Pictures by Chris Michell & Simon Cooke