Saturday 7th March 2020, NWCFL First Division South

Wythenshawe Amateurs 1 (Howard 4)
West 0
Att: 546

West slipped to defeat at Wythenshawe Amateurs as an early goal proved decisive for the home side.

Christopher Howard’s fourth-minute strike ultimately secured all three points for Ammies and a first league defeat in five games for West, who created precious little despite seeing much of the ball.

Both sides were returning to action following an enforced break due to inclement weather, but while Wythenshawe looked refreshed by their time off West appeared ring-rusty, and the home side raced into the lead early on. A cross from the left was only partially cleared by stand-in right-back Billy Matthews, and Howard’s shot beat Andrew Jones at the near post.

Though West gradually stirred into life, Ammies keeper Kyle Haslam was underutilised for much of the first half, with only James Cottee stinging his palms with a drive from 30 yards. But Haslam was at the centre of controversy on the stroke of the interval when he spilled the ball at George Blackwell’s feet before upending the West winger, with the referee bewildering almost everyone in attendance by waving play on.

Chris Rowley’s side dominated possession after the break but found an obstinate Wythenshawe defence impossible to break down – Cottee and Jamie McLellan eked out quarter-chances but both saw headers drop wide of the post from set-pieces. If anything, it was the home side who looked more likely to add a second goal, and Jones had to pull off a spectacular save to tip a header onto the crossbar from a free kick.

Wythenshawe easily saw out of the closing moments and Jones had to be alert to prevent a second goal on the counter attack. This defeat was hardly terminal for West’s promotion hopes but next week’s visit of leaders Vauxhall Motors takes on added significance.

West: A. Jones, Matthews, Cook, Tinker (Ryan 69), McLellan, Heathcote, Dale (Woods 60), Gavin, Cottee, Davis (Eckersley 84), Blackwell.