Key details

 Wednesday 26th December 2018
3pm
 Abbey Stadium, Goredale Avenue, Gorton, M18 7HD
NWCFL Premier Division
£5 adults / £2 concessions / free for under-12s
? Ryder Brow (0.6 miles)
? Fallowfield Loop

Match preview

West face a Boxing Day derby with a difference when they head east to face basement-dwelling Abbey Hey.

Maine Road’s relegation at the end of last season means that Abbey are now West’s closest Premier Division neighbours, and while bragging rights may not be as high on the agenda as previous festive encounters, points have rarely been more vital.

Manchester can claim an unfortunate Christmas one-two with both the city’s Premier Division representatives occupying the relegation spots. But West can give themselves another chance of leapfrogging Hanley Town with victory in Gorton, depending on the Staffordshire side’s result against Congleton Town.

Abbey have endured a torrid season since the summer departure of long-serving manager Luke Gibson. Paul Moore only lasted until November before being relieved of his duties following a 7-1 hammering at home to Barnoldswick Town, one of seven occasions where Moore’s side shipped five or more goals in a game.

Moore’s replacement, former Winsford boss Rob Byrne, has signed seven players as he attempts to rebuild the Abbey squad. Saturday’s narrow defeat to table-topping City of Liverpool was a step in the right direction, with only a 61st-minute own goal separating the sides.

At a glance

Recent meetings