Saturday 24th November 2018, NWCFL Premier Division

West 1 (Kay 28)
Winsford United 2 (Anoryo 45+3, Short 61)
Att: 305

West fell to a damaging defeat against Winsford United on a harrowing afternoon that would prove to be Steve Settle’s last as manager.

Matty Kay’s header had given the home side the lead, but Obi Anoryo levelled for Winsford in first half stoppage time and David Short struck a knockout blow just after the hour.

This was every inch a tense relegation battle – high on nerves and low in quality. Kay’s first goal of the season, converting Ashley Leather’s left-wing corner, only succeeded in making a scrappy game even more fractious, and like last weekend at home to Litherland REMYCA, West conceded a vital goal seconds before the interval. Anoryo was first to a Winsford set-piece and he nodded the ball inside the near post.

There was no shortage of effort in the second half as West chased an invaluable goal. Jamie Coombes had the clearest chance immediately after the restart, but after Kay had sent him clear on goal, the Gilbraltar international shot too close to Winsford keeper Michael Langely.

But the unthinkable happened with half-an-hour remaining – Winsford broke after another West attack foundered, and Short was unmarked at the far post to convert a cross and give the visitors the lead.

Brookburn Road was in no doubt as to the consequences of a home defeat and anxiety turned to desperation. Leather flashed a shot just wide after being teed up by Kay, but Winsford were resolute, picking up three bookings in the final 11 minutes, and after waving away Zac Cooper’s penalty shout, the referee brought proceedings to a sorry conclusion.

West now find themselves managerless and six points from safety – far from an unsalvageable situation, but any new appointment will need to herald a considerable turnaround in fortunes if Brookburn Road is to host Premier Division football again next season.

West: Burgess, Tinker, Pearson, Gavin (Cooper 66), Rogers, Eckersley, Leather, Sergeant, Coombes (Shaw 66), Kay, Woods (Hall 63). Not used: Eiselt, Potts.