Saturday 4th March 2023, NWCFL Premier Division
Squires Gate 1 (Chambers 68, Hesford sent off 90+3)
West 3 (Elliott 18, 57, Matthews 70)
Att: 120
A Ben Elliott brace set West on the way to a comfortable victory at Squires Gate.
West’s top scorer plundered goals either side of the break, with Billy Matthews restoring the two-goal lead moments after Rowan Chambers had cut it in half.
Chris Rowley made a raft of changes in the closing period as thoughts turned towards next weekend’s FA Vase Sixth Round tie at home to Ascot United, but his side had done more than enough for another three points.
Elliott had already forced a terrific save from Gate keeper Nathan Pennington by the time he opened the scoring – sliding in at the far post to convert Max Lewens’ centre.
Darren McKnight then sent a pair of long shots narrowly wide, but the home side came into the match as the first half drew to a close. Matthew Cook produced an excellent saving challenge to prevent the home side running clear on goal.
Elliott claimed his 27th goal of the season twelve minutes after the restart, rising highest to head home a McKnight corner.
Gate threatened a comeback with 22 minutes remaining, as Chambers prodded home from close range after Andrew Jones had blocked an initial effort.
But Matthews ended the game as a contest seconds later, latching onto a superb McKnight through ball and rolling the ball past Pennington.
The pace slowed after West had made all five substitutions, but the home side’s tempers boiled over in the closing stages and after manager Luke Evans had been dismissed by the referee, Oliver Hesford followed suit for a stamp on Tom Westall.
West: A. Jones, Cook, Westall, McKnight (Delaney 71), Hampson, Smyth (Vayro 82), Matthews (Kirongozi 71), Dickinson, Elliott (Swift 74), C. Jones (Taylor 82), Lewens.
Eckersley’s Plumbers & Locksmiths Player of the Match: Ben Elliott.
Chris Rowley post-match reaction
What it means
The win maintains our 8th place position in the NWCFL Premier Division.
What’s next
Attention turns back to the FA Vase, and our Sixth Round tie at home to Ascot United (Saturday 11th March, 3pm).
