West Didsbury & Chorlton v Widnes
NWCFL Premier Division
Saturday 12th August, 3pm KO
Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions and FREE for under-12s.
Address: The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorlton, M21 8FE
Competitive football returns to Brookburn Road for the first time since April as West welcome the NWCFL First Division Champions Widnes for the 2017/18 season opener.
The final home game of last season took place in glorious sunshine as West ran rampant in front of more than 200 supporters as they put six past Cammell Laird on their way to a sixth place finish and over 100 league goals.
Having added Tom Bailey and Daryl Weston in the off season, and boosted by the return of Chris McDonagh for a fourth spell West manager Steve Settle will be looking to break the top four in his third season in charge. West have also strengthened the defence with the arrival of Harry Hagon from Preston North End Academy and supporters will be boosted by the news that they’ve retained their entire playing squad from last season.
FA Cup Heroes
West kicked started the 2017/18 season in style last weekend as they overcame a physical Athersley Recreation side at Sheerin Park. Early goals from Kevin McGrath and Tom Bailey helped settle the nerves before Nic Evangelinos added a second just after half time. A fourth from Joe Shaw followed by Bailey’s second as West were backed by a vocal travelling support who showed their appreciation for Settle’s sides performance with a rousing ovation at the full time whistle. The Preliminary Round will take place on Saturday 19th August, 3pm KO.
Widnes
The club was founded in February 2003 as The Dragons A.F.C. by former secretary Bill Morley as a local junior football club with the aim of making football fun, teach new skills and self-confidence.
In March 2012, now known as Widnes Dragons, the club began a consultation process with Widnes Vikings RLFC to become part of the Vikings Sports Brand, a partnership that was agreed to enhance the club’s community status. This was agreed and the next step in the club’s progression was made in season 2013–14 when Widnes Vikings FC was admitted into the football pyramid and placed within North West Counties Football League Division One.
In 2014, the football club made the decision to break away from the Rugby club becoming Widnes FC with the aim to establish its own identity and long term future within the local community.
In the summer of 2016 current Chairman Ian Ross headed a new consortium who took over the club and following the appointment of Joey Dunn mid-way through the 2016/17 season saw the dragons promoted as NWCFL Division One Champions.
Their season began in the FA Cup on Sunday, their first ever appearance in the competition, as they were defeated 5-0 at home to Handsworth Parramore.
Opening Day
Joey Dunn’s side will be looking to avenge last weekend’s surprise defeat at home and the Division One Champions will see West as an early scalp in their first ever game at Step 5. Steve Settle will be hoping that his side is backed by a large crowd and will be looking to build on last weekends momentum building victory.
The ground is open from 1.15pm, with the bar open until after the game. Admission has been frozen for a fourth straight year at £5 for adults, £3 concesssions and FREE for under-12s accompanied by an adult.
For those who cannot make the game you can follow live updates on our twitter page @WD_CFC. Those supporters who do attend on Saturday we ask that you tag us in to your posts and photos on twitter and instagram so that we can feature them on our website next week.
Previous Meeting – No Previous Meetings
Weekend NWCFL Fixtures (All 3pm KO)
Abbey Hey v Runcorn Linnets
Ashton Athletic v Bootle
Barnton v Charnock Richard
Burscough v 1874 Northwich
City of Liverpool FC v Irlam
Congleton Town v AFC Darwen
Hanley Town v Squires Gate
Padiham v Northwich Victoria
Runcorn Town v Maine Road
West Didsbury & Chorlton v Widnes
Winsford United v Barnoldswick Town
