Tuesday 25 September 2018 (7.45pm), NWCFL Premier Division
Ashton Athletic vs West
Brocstedes Park, Downall Green, Ashton in Makerfield, WN4 0NR
£6 / £3 concessions / £1 Under 12s

West play their second away midweek fixture of September, with Ashton Athletic the hosts as we look to kickstart a stalling season.

Currently winless for the calendar month, West last tasted victory against Whitchurch Alport in August, and have slipped to 5 consecutive defeats in all competitions. Saturday saw 1874 Northwich – another team that have struggled to get going this season – leave Brookburn Road with 3 points in a game that could’ve gone either way. Now sitting 17th in the table, having played more NWCFL fixtures than those beneath us, a result in Ashton would be the perfect platform to build upon. The same fixture last season saw the nadir of our barren winter run, losing 7-1 on December 23rd – an enormous improvement is required on that day.

The hosts have had a similarly woeful start in the league – they sit bottom, having picked up a solitary point (away to Whitchurch Alport on the opening day). However, their FA Cup form has more than made up for it: AFC Liverpool, Skelmersdale, and Morpeth Town were defeated en route to an away fixture against York City last Saturday. This was the end of their heroics, going home with a 5-0 defeat – but also, surely, with memories that will last for a generation. West will hope that the Yellows are still struggling with cup fever – as it looks they may have been in their last league fixture against City of Liverpool, which they lost 4-0 at home.

A big game ahead for both sides.

At a glance

Recent meetings

5/5/2018, League – West 4 (OG, Bailey 2, A. Woods) Ashton Athletic 2
23/12/17, League – Ashton Athletic 7 West 1 (Whyment)
5/11/17, League – West 2 (Mendes Gomes, A Woods) 1874 5