Tuesday 31st January 2023, NWCFL Premier Division

Wythenshawe Town 0
West 3 (Matthews 57, Davis 63, Kirongozi 67)
Att: 348

Three goals in ten second-half minutes secured an impressive West win at neighbours Wythenshawe Town.

Chris Rowley’s side took control of proceedings following an attritional first period, with Billy Matthews, Rhain Davis and Jean-Jacques Kirongozi all scoring to send the travelling support back up the Airport line happy.

This M23 v M21 tussle had a typically furious opening, with the home side inches away from taking the lead inside the first 60 seconds – a cross from the left wing diverted onto the crossbar and away.

Davis had West’s clearest opportunity of the half as the interval approached, volleying Ezeikel Eme’s cross wide of the near post, but in between the referee’s whistle was the main protagonist. The home side dominated the half-chance count but Andrew Jones’ only real work came when he pawed away a shot from the corner of the box.

At the other end, Darren McKnight stung the palms of Wythy keeper Callum Jakovlevs with a 30-yard free kick, but the teams returned to the dressing rooms at half time with the game still to find a spark.

That spark arrived shortly before the hour mark, as Matthews opened the scoring with a classic winger’s goal. Markell Foulds set off on a foray down the left wing, eventually reaching the byline and whipping a ball across for the lurking Matthews to nudge home at the far post.

One became two shortly afterwards – Joel Swift holding the ball up in the Wythy half and releasing Rhain Davis, who drove into the open space and beat Jakovlevs from the edge of the area.

And the visitors capped a dizzying spell when substitute Kirongozi scored his first goal in West colours. Eme robbed a Wythy defender in the West final third, and after Swift had diverted the ball into Kirongozi’s path, the wide man’s first-time finish was unerring.

Wythy’s evening continued to unravel when Benito Lowe was dismissed with 18 minutes remaining, picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Davis.

The home side, who recovered from 4-1 down with ten minutes remaining to draw at Longridge Town at the weekend, were offered a glimpse of another unlikely comeback when Ben Hampson was ruled to have fouled a Wythy forward in the box. But Andrew Jones’ remarkable penalty-saving record continued as he superbly threw himself low to his right to keep out Jordan Burton’s effort.

West were also reduced to ten players for ten minutes as Hampson’s protests regarding the penalty decision led to him enjoying the sin bin’s hospitality. However, the visitors were able to see out a comfortable win as they look to launch themselves back towards the Premier Division top six.

West: A. Jones, Cook, Graham, McKnight, Hampson, Foulds, Matthews (Kirongozi 60), C. Jones, Swift (Delaney 90+1), Davis, Eme (Westall 89). Not used: Taylor, Lewens.

Eckersley’s Plumbers & Locksmiths Player of the Match: Rhain Davis.

Chris Rowley post-match reaction