West vs Oswestry Town

WEST c

West Didsbury & Chorlton Official Matchday Programme - £2

Saturday 22 February – 3.00pm

West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC v FC Oswestry Town

WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC The Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE

Club Committee: Steve Eckersley; Rob McKay; Glyn Meacher; Rob Madden; Dave Cooper; Monica Creer; John Churchman; James Doxford; Davy Iredale; Dan Iredale; Tim Manley and Matthew Britton Ownership: In accordance with THE Football Association Rule 2.13 Publication of ownership in relation to Step 1 to Step 6 clubs in the Football Pyramid we hereby confirm that the legal status of WEST DIDSBURY AND CHORLTON ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB is as not for profit private members club. Any gain arising from the carrying on of the Club shall be applied for the benefit of the Club or for some charitable or benevolent purpose or purposes approved by resolution at a general meeting of the Club.

To contact the club please use the club website: www.wdfc.co.uk Main Club Sponsor:

Ground Safety In the interest of spectator comfort and safety, the following conditions apply at the clubs Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road ground and must be observed at all times.

• • • • • • • •

In case of fire or other emergency that requires the clubhouse or ground to be evacuated instructions will be given over the public address system, and we ask that you comply with those instructions immediately.

The chanting of racist or obscene chanting is strictly forbidden.

Glasses, bottles, gas canisters, knives, darts, tools, flag poles or any other articles likely to cause injury are not permitted into the ground.

Alcohol may be purchased and consumed in the bar area only.

Children are not allowed in the Club House unless accompanied by an adult.

Encroachment onto the playing area is forbidden at all times.

Standing is not allowed in front of the seated areas.

All forms of transport on the clubs car park is at the owners’ risk.

The club reserves the right to remove any person from the ground who is in breach of these rules or whose presence is a source of danger or annoyance to others. We hope you understand the reasons for the above are in order for the game to be enjoyed in safe and pleasant conditions.

Thank you, West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC Committee.

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Welcome to FC Oswestry Town Good afternoon and welcome to today’s North West Counties League Division 1 South fixture against FC Oswestry Town. We welcome their officials, players and supporters to the Step Places stadium here at Brookburn Road and we hope they enjoy our hospitality today.

Town arrive here in 2nd place in the league and firmly on course for promotion having won 6 of their last 7 games. We have already met this season at The Venue back in October, when a last minute goal saw us fall to a 2-1 defeat. Since then both teams have undergone managerial changes, however Town have seamlessly continued their promotion push and we fully expect one of our hardest games of the season today.

After our last game, a Cup distraction it is now back to the matter of trying to pick up league points towards our goal of a top 4 finish. While we were involved in cup action other league results have seen us fall to 6th place albeit we have games in hand over 3 of the teams above us.

Our Playermatch.com Cup tie 2 weeks ago saw us fall to a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Sandbach Utd. A game in which we never really got going until late in the 2nd half saw our visitors progress to the Semi Final with goals in injury time at the end of each half. By way of contrast today’s visitors progressed in the same competition with a 1-0 win over Emley and now face a 2-legged semi-final against AFC Liverpool.

We were surprised and delighted to see our Norwegian fan club at the Sandbach game. They usually manage to visit us once or twice a season and last Saturday was their first visit since the Abbey Hey away game last season.

We have now designated the game against Barnton on 29 February as our official Ground Naming day. We look forward to welcoming Harinder Dhaliwal and everyone at Step Places to Brookburn Road and we thank them for their ongoing support. Hopefully the weather will finally cooperate on the day as we have had to postpone this event a couple of times already.

Our next way game on March 7th against Wythenshawe Amateurs which forms part of the NWCFL Groundhop weekend and kicks off at 11am. This is followed by the rearranged home game against Sandbach United on Tuesday 10th March, we then face Vauxhall Motors on Saturday 14th March. The rearranged home game against New Mills is now being played on Tuesday 24th March.

Thank you for visiting Step Places Stadium and have a safe journey home.

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From the Dugout‌ Good afternoon and welcome back to The Step Places Stadium to all the West fans.

I’d also like to welcome FC Oswestry Town; we hope everyone connected with our visitors receives a warm welcome for this game.

This is another important fixture for the club, as we embark on an important phase in our league campaign. FC Oswestry Town are in good form, having won 5 of their last six matches currently sitting in second place with 60 points from 28 games, so we will certainly have to be at our best today. As ever, it is good to be playing in front of our home supporters and we are looking forward to what will be another great atmosphere.

Our last game on 8th February in The PlayerMatch.com Cup against Sandbach was obviously a disappointing result, especially as we played so well in our previous two fixtures against Cheadle Heath and Eccleshall. At that point, we had four wins and one draw from six matches, which took us into the top four league positions.

We did have factors that played a part in the problems we encountered. With a number of the first team squad unavailable, we were forced to use players recovering from illness and/or injury which is clearly not ideal.

Still, these are not excuses, and we must continue to be positive and focus on the fact that we are in a good position to fight for promotion this season. Overall, we have been on a very good run since the beginning of January and I know we have the quality to get that back on track today. We also have some players returning from absence and that will help to make us stronger.

Our mentality must remain the same. To be fully committed at all times, to approach every match with the intention of winning and playing well, and to challenge for promotion come the end of the season.

I have belief that the players will respond in the right way today and, with your fantastic support, we will be doing everything we can to secure another memorable victory at The Step Places Stadium.

Come on West!

Craig Malbon Assistant Manager

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NWCFL Division One South Results and Fixtures

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Match Report…

8 February, 2020 West 0 Sandbach United 2 (Garner-Knapper (45), Saxton (90+2) Att: 245

Coley and Moloney made their first appearances in a number of weeks but were unable to break the game from the torpor into which it settled. Sandbach, not needing to chase the game, simply chose to manage out as much of the remaining time as possible. These street smarts worked out, draining the game of any colour and running down the clock. West, for their part, obliged – nothing tackles turning into 5 minute quarrels as they got drawn into the games being played by the visitors. The nadir perhaps came when one Sandbach player used a West corner to sit down in the middle of the pitch, and spend several minutes adjusting a shinpad. The ploy worked, as the corner was squandered.

West’s hopes of silverware at the end of the season were dashed on a chilly day in Chorlton, as Sandbach continued their fine run of form in the Playermatch Cup. A crowd of 245 – most wrapped up warm, others underdressed having been tricked by a sunny spell earlier in the day – showed up to the Step Places Stadium, but only experienced a game that flowed in fits and starts. The early pressure was all West’s – the opening 10 minutes weren’t quite blistering in their intensity, but at least hinted at a team warming up with a semifinal place on offer. The biggest opportunity would fall to James Hooper, slipped past the last man but only able to find the onrushing keeper’s torso with a powerful drive. It would arguably be the closest that they would come all afternoon and marked the end of the home side’s fluidity.

West did apply some pressure, but there were nothing more than half-chances for supporters to get excited about: Billy Matthews, energetic all game, might’ve had a penalty on another day (though in truth, it looked like the referee made the correct call), and the Sandbach goalkeeper had to pull off an acrobatic save when a free-kick from deep eluded everyone and almost bounced in at the far post. However, it was the visitors who would find the net again: a mix-up at the back as West were trying to forge a last roll of the dice left Will Saxton with an open goal having taken the ball away from Jones and a defender. He slotted home, starting the celebrations for Sandbach in a game that, on the balance of play, they deserved to win – though perhaps not by such a generous scoreline.

On the stroke of half time, Sandbach took the lead. With either side unable to get a grip in midfield, and no real pattern to the play of the game, the majority of the first half slipped away. However, the fractured nature of the game meant that either side were at the mercy of chance and fortune.

Unfortunately for the vocal home support, it was they who were to be victims of a bad bounce: Sandbach pressure around the area was unable to be cleared, and a bobble presented an opportunity for the ball to be put through to Garner-Knapper.

He was unerring in front of goal, leaving Andrew Jones with no chance and the visitors with a half time lead.

West: A. Jones, Cook, Westall (Coley 51), Tinker, McLellan, Heathcote ©, Ryan, C. Jones, Matthews, Hooper, Argent-Brown (Moloney 60). Not used: Dale, Clark

Half-time talk of West being a second-half side of late slowly but surely turned into wanting to concentrate on the league.

Report: Matt Durrant

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NWCFL Division One - South Saturday 22nd February fixtures:

Abbey Hulton United v Maine Road Cammell Laird 1907 v Abbey Hey Eccleshall v Sandbach United Ellesmere Rangers v Cheadle Town New Mills v Wythenshawe Amateurs St Martins v Vauxhall Motors WEST v FC Oswestry Town Wythenshawe Town v Alsager Town

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First Team Appearances…

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History of FC Oswestry Town FC Oswestry Town was formed in 2014. The team joined the Mercian Regional Football League First Division in the 2013 / 2014 season, finishing 3rd in the league. The automatic promotion took FC Oswestry Town into the Premier Division.

The following season, the 2015/2016 season proved to be their most successful season yet. The club on to win the quadruple during this season. The trophies that they won included the Mercian Regional League Premier Division title, the Mercian Premier League League Cup, The Shropshire Challenge Cup and the Commander Ethelston Cup. FC Oswestry Town were promoted to the Hallmark Security League First Division after a very successful season in 2015/2016. The club held their own in a very competitive league, finishing 15th in the league. With a managerial change, and new signings adding to the squad FC Oswestry very much look forward to the new season in the Hallmark Security League First Division and continue the success the club have experienced since forming.

The club went into the 2014 / 2015 season in high spirits after the successful first season, with the new challenge for the Mercian Regional League Premier Division.

The club managed to achieved a 5th place finish and gain vital experience of the league. The season was still a huge success for the club as there went on to win the Commander Ethelston Cup for the first time.

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League Table On 15th February

P W D L

F

A GD Pts

1

Vauxhall Motors

26 22 1 3 69 26 43

67

2

FC Oswestry Town

28 19 3 6 65 36 29

60

3

Stone Old Alleynians

28 16 5 7 59 30 29

53

4

Abbey Hey

28 16 5 7 54 41 13

53

5

Wythenshawe Town

25 15 5 5 63 23 40

50

6

West Didsbury & Chorlton

26 14 5 7 51 32 19

47

7

Eccleshall

28 14 3 11 54 45

9

45

8

Cheadle Town

28 12 4 12 47 45

2

40

9

Maine Road

26 11 5 10 53 45

8

38

10 Stockport Town *

28 12 4 12 52 51

1

37

11 Cheadle Heath Nomads

27 9 5 13 38 48 -10 32

12 Wythenshawe Amateurs

24 9 4 11 36 32

4

31

13 Cammell Laird 1907

27 8 6 13 52 57 -5

30

14 New Mills

26 8 5 13 46 61 -15 29

15 Barnton

28 9 1 18 29 55 -26 28

16 Sandbach United

24 9 0 15 34 42 -8

17 Abbey Hulton United

28 9 0 19 36 73 -37 27

18 Alsager Town

26 6 7 13 30 57 -27 25

19 Ellesmere Rangers

26 6 5 15 35 72 -37 23

20 St Martins

27 5 3 19 33 65 -32 18

* indicates points deduction

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2019-20 First Team Stats results – appearances – goalscorers

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2019-20 First Team Stats results – appearances – goalscorers

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Recent Action…

Photo’s courtesy of Graham Currey

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January winners of the draw are:

Tel: 0161 428 5101 Unit 2, Ashurst Drive,

£100 Robert Madden *

Lawnhurst Trading Estate,

£60 Laura Turley *

Bird Hall Lane, Cheadle

£40 Maya Germain

SK3 0SD

*Returned to the club

Don’t miss out…

www.printonuk.co.uk

Sign up in the Clubhouse

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Juniors Sponsors We are grateful for the support of the many local businesses and organisations who support WD&C Juniors. If you are interested in joining them then please contact Tim Manley, Junior Chairman on timjohnmanley@gmail.com

OUR SPONSORS Chorlton Electric are your local electricians for all domestic and light commercial work. We are delighted to be sponsoring WD&C Under 8s.To contact us, please visit www.chorltonelectric.co.uk, email admin@chorltonelectric.co.uk or call 0161 881 8162

Mosquito are delighted to sponsor the Under 9 Hawks and Under 9 Harriers. Mosquito is an award-winning creative digital brand communications agency based in Manchester and Cheshire.

Langscapes, with 20 year’s experience, are Indian stone specialists for your new patio or driveway. We also provide a range of services for the design of your garden. We are delighted to sponsor the Under 10 Owls. For more information, contact Alan on 07961200362

AIS Alarms have been providing Manchester with effective security solutions for over 30 years and we are delighted to be supporting WD&C Under 10 Eagles. For more information see our website www.aisalarmschorlton.co.uk

Beech Road is a laid-back mix of gift shops, independent outfitters, restaurants and pubs in Chorlton. Beech Road Traders are delighted to sponsor WD&C Under 10 Kestrels.

GetARoom are South Manchester’s specialists for loft conversions and extensions and are delighted to sponsor the WD&C u11s. Email getaroomloftsextensions@gmail.com to find out how you can “get a room”.

RAB Cleaning of Chorlton are proud to sponsor WD&C under 12s.

Batteries Support International are delighted to support the WD&C under 13s.

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Vectos are the leading transport planning and infrastructure design consultancy for the development industry across the UK and are proud to support the Under 14 Badgers. Find out more at www.vectos.co.uk

OpenMoney are delighted to sponsor the Under 14 Magpies. OpenMoney offer low-cost online financial advice and tools helping you manage, save and invest your money. Financial advice for all. Visit www.open-money.co.uk, email hello@open-money.co.uk or call 0161 204 3200

NetVu Ltd is an innovative technology and video surveillance company and are delighted to sponsor WD&C u15s. www.netvu.org.uk

South Manchester Credit Union offers financial services to all who live or work in South Manchester. It is a co-operative with deep roots in the community and we are proud to sponsor WD&C under 16s.

For more information visit www.smcreditunion.co.uk

WD&C under 16 Girls are proud to be supported by the Football Association’s Grow the Game Fund.

The Property File have been established for over 20 years and specialise in Student and Professional lettings and Landlord Property Management in South Manchester.

See www.thepropertyfilelettings.co.uk, ring 0161 448 1800 or email info@thepropertyfilelettings.co.uk for more info. The Property File are delighted to support WD&C under 18s

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Sponsoring our remaining 7 home games: Can you or your business support the club in this way?

Sat 29th February

Step Places ceremony - Barnton

Tues 10th March

Sandbach United

Sat 14th March

Vauxhall Motors

Tues 24th March

New Mills

Sat 4th April

Ellesmere Rangers

Sat 11th April

St Martins

Sat 18th April

Abbey Hey

Please discuss with John or add your name to the poster in the clubhouse

NWCFL – Attendances‌

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Women’s Team Fixtures & Results

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Due to cancellations as 26th Jan.

OUR SPONSORS We would like to express our sincere thanks to our current pitch side board sponsors for their support.

Without you we wouldn't be where we are today.

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A few facts about Step Places‌ Step Places’ core philosophy is to create places which are focused on people.

Step Places were founded in 2008, originally under the name First Step Group, and the business has evolved to become an award winning developer with a growing portfolio of residential and mixeduse schemes across the North West and beyond.

Their aim is to think creatively and collectively, which means they are passionate about their products and their people. Their team aspires to inspire, focusing on quality and innovation; harnessing nature and utilising cutting-edge technology.

As part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy, in 2018 they changed their name to Step Places to reflect better the work they do.

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West

FC Oswestry Town

Andrew Jones (GK) Ashley Woods Billy Matthews Callum Jones Dontai Gabidon Dylan Moloney George Blackwell Jack Ryan James Cottee James McLellan James Sigsworth Joel Smith Joshua Tinker Keiron Dale Reece Coley Rhian Davis Lee Gavin Matthew Cook Matthew Eckersley Matty Argent-Barnes Sam Heathcote Morgan Newns Steve Hall Zachary Cooper

Mason Springthorpe (GK) Gareth Partridge Sean Jones Louis Bradford Steven Evans Matthew Cole Matthew T Jones Christopher Craven Harry Bower Lian Parry Simon Smith Scott Bright Jack Fishman Jason Brindley Christian Seargeant Asa Hamilton Kevin Renshaw Ethan Short

Manager: Chris Rowley Asst Manager: Craig Malbon Coach: Lennie Sullivan Goalkeeper Coach: Ian Parkinson Physio: Lee Cleaver

Manager Matt Burton

Officials Referee: Simon Robinson Assistant Referees: Kyle Lines & Lewis Walters

Come on, West!