After what seems like an eternity without league action, West travel to Irlam on Saturday aiming to bounce back from midweek cup defeat.

Key details

� Saturday 28th January 2023, 3.00pm
� NWCFL Premier Division
� The RG3 Digital Stadium, Silver Street, Irlam, Manchester, M44 6JJ
� £6 / £4 / Under 16’s £2 / Under 11’s Free
� Irlam (1.9 miles)

Preview

This match is the first of two challenging away fixtures with our next one being at high flying Wythenshawe Town. With this in mind it is all the more important that West take all three points this weekend to gain some momentum and get back to winning ways, as the league and FA Vase are now the two competitions that Chris Rowley’s side have to concentrate on. West have endured a mixed spell of form in the NWCFL, with two wins from our last five league matches. We currently sit in 9th place, and a win would put pressure on the sides directly above.

Chris Rowley and his team rotated the side dramatically for Tuesday’s loss against Atherton, therefore it is expected that the starting XI will change yet again with players such as Darren McKnight and Thomas Westall expected to be involved from the beginning. We will of course be without Curtis Miller who has now played his last game for West, before embarking on his new adventure which we wish him the best of luck in. Furthermore, we are hoping to see Ben Elliott and Markell Foulds back in the squad and involved in some capacity.

Similarly to West, the home side Irlam also occupy one of the mid-table spots, as after their first half of the season they sit in 12th place. Their recent form has also been a bit of a mixed bag, with two wins from their last five. However, they are not shy of finding the net as they have scored 11 goals in that period, so the West defence will need to be on high alert to keep them out.

The last fixture between these two sides came back in August, as the points were shared in a 1-1 draw at Brookburn Road. We dominated the game until a Ben Hampson red card halted our momentum at the beginning of the second half. West will no doubt be hoping to do one better on this occasion and take all three of the points on offer, in a fixture that seems like it could be decided by the slightest of margins.

We hope to see you with us on our travels, getting behind the team and bringing the noise and support that you always do. Come on West!

This weekend’s other NWCFL Premier Division fixtures

Saturday, 2pm

Ashton Athletic v Vauxhall Motors

Winsford United v Bury AFC

Prestwich Heys v Longridge Town

Saturday, 3pm

Barnoldswick Town v Lower Breck

Burscough v Padiham

Charnock Richard v Litherland REMYCA

Congleton Town v Avro

Longridge Town v Wythenshawe Town

Northwich Victoria v Prestwich Heys

FC Isle of Man v Squires Gate