West Didsbury & Chorlton v Padiham

2015-16 SEASON

Official Programme

ÂŁ 2.00

NWCFL Premier Division

Padiham Saturday 19 September 2015 WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC 3.00pm

WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE CLUB CONTACTS

FOOTBALL CONTACTS

Club President Brian Cripps

Director of Football: Andy Nelson

Chairman Glyn Meacher

First Team Manager: Steve Settle Head Coach: Steve Brockley Assistant: Steve Eckersley (admin) Assistant: Rob Madden Goalkeeping: Dale Newbrook Match Secretary: Rob McKay

Club Secretary Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441 Membership Secretary Monica Creer Treasurer Dave Cooper Head of Fundraising Steve Eckersley Community Development Davy Iredale

Reserve Team Manager: Jim Hines Asst Manager: Ian Depeiaza Physio Winston Luke Paddy Murphy ‘A’ Team Manager Danny Iredale

Publicity Team Rob McKay 07706 320397 John Churchman 07720 508082

Youth Team Manager Ian Depeiaza

Programme contributors: John Churchman; Rob McKay, Rob Turley and Jonny Keen Match Photographer: Graham Curry 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.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Main Club Sponsor:

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EDITORIAL

PADIHAM

Welcome to this afternoon’s game and our first competitive first team fixture against Padiham in today’s NWCFL Premier Division fixture.

Our two clubs have met previously in the NWCFL reserve division a couple of years ago when we first joined the league, and that season Padiham were on their way out of the Premier Division into the Northern Premier League where they stayed for the past two seasons before rejoining the NWCFL for this season. More on the interesting history of Padiham FC dating back to 1878 inside this programme and we extend a warm welcome to all the players, officials and supporters of Padiham to The Recreation Ground today.

We trust everyone enjoys their visit to The Recreation Ground and has a safe return trip to North Lancashire after the game.

FINE MARGINS Today is the 11th league fixture of our season so we’re already a quarter of the way through the league season even though it’s only mid September. Looking back over the ten games so far it’s been a case of what seems to have become our usual slow start to the season compounded by a raft of injuries and the fine margins of close results going against us. This has been particularly true in those four games which we’ve lost by the odd goal against Atherton Collieries, Barnoldswick, 1874 Northwich and Winsford United. We deserved to get at least a point in all of those games and on chances created we could have had all 3 points in at least two of the games. Sadly it was not to be and with 6 of the first 10 games away from home we’ve done well in picking up 7 points on our travels.

However, we now need to start getting points on the board from our home games to keep out of trouble. To date our home league results have been poor despite some stirring performances, particularly the recovery against 1874 Northwich which deserved at least a point, followed up by the creditable win over Barton Town here in the FA Vase and the excellent away win at Bootle.

Last weekend we travelled to The Barton Stadium, one of our least favourite venues, to play Winsford United and for most of the game we were on the front foot and dominating possession. We had some early half chances with the best of these a Rick Gleave effort deflected by a defender and then saved by the keeper before the game settled into a dreary stalemate. It looked like the introduction of Jamie Wolden after an hour was going to turn things in our favour but we just couldn’t find or get on the end of the killer pass. The kick in the teeth came when the home side stole all 3 points with 8 minutes left through the fluke goal of the season so far which arrived when Winsford’s full back clipped a hopeful high cross in from the left corner flag to elude everyone and end up in our net, off the inside of the post.

At Ashton Athletic on Tuesday evening it was more frustration when we turned round a goal down at the interval after being the better side but failing to deal with a free kick just before the interval. We came out fighting to get back on terms but were reduced to ten men early in the second half which ended any prospect of getting a result.

You have to feel for the management and players when results go like this and we don’t seem to be having the rub of the green, especially when it looked like we’d got going again after victories over Barton Town and Bootle. Padiham have had a mixed start so far having played 8 [5 home and 3 away] before today, sitting comfortably in mid table and having also played four fixtures against the same clubs as ourselves. Wins over Atherton Collieries, and Ashton Athletic have been offset by defeat to Barnoldswick and a 1-1 draw against Bootle. This week they won 3-0 at our near neighbours Maine Road on Monday evening so they will arrive in confident mood ready for another close encounter of the Counties kind this afternoon.

It’s still early days in what we all knew would be a season of transition as we develop the potential of several younger players, so it’s down to everyone on the touchlines to get behind Steve and the team this afternoon as they buckle down and try to getting back to winning ways.

In the meantime ENJOY THE GAME today, have a safe journey home and please take care and drive slowly on leaving the ground and on Brookburn and neighbouring roads.

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Steve Settle’s Notes Good Afternoon and welcome to Brookburn Road for this afternoons fixture against Padiham. It’s a pleasure to be able to welcome Steve Wilkes and his staff, players, officials, and fans for what promises to be an exciting game. After playing in the Evo-Stik league last year Padiham will represent a tough challenge today and we will have to be at our best to get the right result for us.

Since our last home game against Barton Town we have had 3 away fixtures during which time we have struggled to shake off the inconsistent performances that have plagued us, not only this season, but for the past 2 years. Against Bootle away we were very good, particularly after conceding a very early goal. With a patched up back 4 after losing Pottsy in the warm up we played some really good football and were good value for our 2-1 win. That result came on the back of another 21 win in the Vase against Barton Town, a result which rewarded us with another home tie against Dinnington Town in the next round on the 3rd October.

We have since had 2 disappointing results at Winsford, which is rapidly becoming my least favourite place on Earth (!), and at Ashton Atheltic. The game at Winsford is a 90 minute representation of our season so far. We played the game on the front foot and had several good chances to win the game and then an innocuous looking cross floats in at the back post in the last minute and we end up losing a game we dominated.

As I was walking off the pitch their striker said to me “I cannot believe we’ve beaten you there”! I replied simply “I can”! Sooner or later we are going to have to convert chances when they come our way. In lots of cases they aren’t half chances or difficult ones! Just a little more composure in front of goal is what’s required.

In training the same players score some brilliant goals so I know they have the ability.

It’s now a case of transferring that into games.

With that in mind I’m delighted that we have been able to sign Matty Kay from our

neighbours Trafford. Matty is an attacking midfielder with excellent experience at higher levels. He has scored goals consistently for Mossley and Curzon Ashton most notably and once he has settled in he will be an excellent asset to our football club. He is a player that some of our younger players can learn from and I’m hoping we can add to his signing with players of a similar stature in the next few weeks.

On the injury front there is some positive news.

Richmond Botchey has returned to training and played 90 minutes for the reserves last weekend. Todays game might be a week to soon for him but its brilliant to have him close to fitness. In the same reserve game young Ben Steer scored a hat-trick on his return and it will be a big boost to get him back fit and firing again. Mark Rogers is also a back in training and I’m hoping to have him available today!

Thanks for the support and enjoy the game!

Setts WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 2 Barton Town OB 1 …match report West reached the second qualifying round for the third year in succession as they came from behind to defeat NCEL side Barton Town Old Boys.

In the absence of both Steve Settle and Stephen Brockley, Steve Eckersley and Rob Madden took charge of the team.

The two were able to re-call Scott Mason and Rick Gleave to the starting line up whilst Sam Dee, Mark Rogers and Ben Steer were all fit enough to at least take a place on the bench.

West started brightly with Ash Woods in an unfamiliar position on the right hand side as Tommy Walsh played as a lone striker. Walsh had the games first chance as he received a ball with his back to goal and shot from the edge of the penalty area with the Barton goalkeeper saving well despite almost being beaten by the bounce. Walsh almost went close again when, on 5 minutes, some excellent West passing released Gavin down the right hand side, his cross along the six yard box found Walsh but he couldn't divert it towards goal.

West continued to create chances first when a deep free kick into the box found both Walsh and Gavin but neither could steer it towards goal and then Mason forced the Barton goalkeeper to turn a free kick round his near post.

Barton grew into the game slowly but had chances of their own when a deep cross was headed wide un-marked at the far post before having another goal bound effort blocked. It was a warning and the visitors duly took the lead on 28 minutes when a move down the left released the Barton number nine, his initial shot was blocked but the rebound fell back to him and he squared to an un-marked Owen Garven who finished from six yards out.

Despite going behind West kept their composure and continued to create chances with Walsh having the pick of them firing over from six yards after a brilliant Gleave through ball.

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Barton's best chance came when a crosscum-shot cannoned off Hayden BuckleySmith's cross bar from 30 yards out but the sides went into the break with the score line 0-1.

West continued where they left off in the first half and immediately made chances as first a free kick from long rage was tipped over the bar before the corner fell to Jonny Poizer whose volley was fired straight into the keeper’s hands.

Barton's resistance was finally broken on 53 minutes when a cross from the left dropped into the middle Barton failed to clear it and it fell Gleave who fired his shot into the bottom right hand corner.

Eckersley and Madden rang the chances replacing Walsh and the ill Jordan Poole with Jamie Wolden and Mark Rogers as they searched for a winner.

West's second goal came on 63 minutes as West again utilised their width in Mason at the unfamiliar position of left back as a cross found Gleave in the penalty area. From there it was a great solo goal as Gleave twisted and turned, lifting the ball over his shoulder in slotting into the far right hand bottom corner.

The rapid tempo of the first half seemed to saturate both teams as neither side had clear cut chances to alter the score line with the best chance falling to Barton as they fired a free kick from the edge of the penalty area into the hands of BuckleySmith.

Even the Barton goalkeeper coming up for a late corner failed to have the drama one would normally associate with the last minutes of a cup tie as West safely progressed into the next round.

West’s reward is £500 in prize money and a home time in the second qualifying round where they face Central Midlands League side Dinnington Town.

West v Barton Town OB…match action

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Bootle 1 West 2 ‌match report West registered their second league win of the season with a gutsy team effort on a cold and windy night at the Delta Taxis Stadium.

The night didn't start out as planned for West as first captain Anthony Potts broke down in the warm up before they found themselves 0-1 down in the opening 60 seconds of the game.

Bootle attacked down the right, with the ball headed across goal to striker Dominic Marie in space, West seemed to close him down but he composed himself and curled a low shot into the bottom right hand corner to give Bootle the lead.

However any fears that West would succumb like they did at this ground two years ago when they were thrashed 5-0 were quickly banished on nine minutes when a great through ball from Gavin split the defence and found both Woods and Gleave unmarked. Woods took a touch and fired it into the bottom right hand corner however the referee's flag was up (correctly) however, had Woods left it for Gleave he would have been onside. An early warning sign for Bootle.

Another chance for West quickly followed, Gleave dribbled through two Bootle defenders and squared to Gavin at the edge of the penalty area, his goal bound shot was bravely blocked but it fell to Woods on the right hand side and his shot was blocked again for a West corner. From the West corner they immediately won another but Bootle broke away from the second one finding Marie on the left again and his low shot was only deflected just wide of the post by a West defender.

On 17 minutes West, having started on the back foot, found themselves level as they won another corner, this time it was fired by Jonny Poizer to the far post and the superb Matt Eckersley rose highest to head home.

Suddenly it was an end-to-end affair as West almost took an instant lead when a Jordan Poole free kick was swung into the box but Lee Gavin could only head into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Bootle themselves looked to restore their goal advantage as they forced West goalkeeper Hayden Buckley-Smith into a save at his near post after some very casual West defending before he saved brilliantly with his feet when William Smart brought a ball down in the box, turned and fired a low shot at the West goal.

Despite this both sides reached the end of a

very entertaining half level.

In the second half West raced out of the blocks as the combined counter attacking play of Gleave, Gavin, Poizer, Jamie Wolden and Ash Woods began to exploit Bootle's defensive high line. It was Gleave who had the halves first chance as he rolled a low shot from outside the area just past the post. On 57 minutes West gave themselves the lead as Woods and Gleave combined to allow Woods to fire a rocket from 25 yards out into the far corner.

Bootle immediately stepped up their game and fired a long range effort over after a sustained period of pressure but West continued to break on the counter and had their best chance on 64 minutes when Gleave, Gavin and Woods combined down the right hand side with Woods crossing into the penalty to Poizer; who, showing great strength and vision, turned his man brilliantly to lay it off to Wolden only for his first time shot low across the goal to be brilliantly saved by David Moran in the Bootle goal. Poizer went close again to making it 3-1 but was denied by a brilliant tackle from Luke Stephens after a superb through ball from Rick Gleave.

The injury to Pottsy in the warm up meant that West started the game with a back line of Sam Dee (midfield), Callum Jones (right back), Matt Eckersley (midfield) and Stephen Brockley (Head Coach) but it got worse for West just after the hour mark when Brockley received a hospital pass from Jordan Poole and was on the receiving end of a hard (but fair) tackle on his left ankle. Brockley tried to play through the pain (the impact was such that it cracked his shin pad) but was forced to be replaced by Tom Walsh with Poizer (forward) moving to left back.

The changes disrupted West's attacking flow as Wolden was replaced by Dan Russell and Bootle made changes of their own in an attempt to find a second goal of their own.

The last 15 minutes saw Bootle create half a dozen chances but West defended resolutely closing down and blocking most of the efforts.

Bootle's best chance came when Smith was again allowed to turn in the box squaring his pass to a man unmarked at the far post but he could only role it wide. Buckley-Smith was again called upon to save with his feet late on but West secured a valuable three points and their second ever win at Bootle.

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Looking back our new feature on Football History No 6 We all know about the exploits of the giants that are Manchester United and Manchester City.

Across the country, and even the world, iconic places and people like Old Trafford, Maine Road, Bert Trautman and George Best are regularly spoken of with fondness and reverence.

But Manchester has seen a great many more interesting pieces of footballing history. Here, we explore some of the lesser known aspects of Manchester's rich tapestry of football history.

Baichung Bhutia It's an unusual tactic, but one that can sometimes work; signing a player based on an international reputation with the goal of bringing in the crowds. It can be imagined how the crowds would flock to Brookburn Road if West were to pull off a coup signing, perhaps Michael Owen or Robert Pires (Well, we can only dream).

But just before the millenium, one Manchester club tried just the tactic mentioned above...with a twist. The club in question was Bury and their international coup signing was Baichung Bhutia. Never heard of him? Well, most Indians have. In fact, Bhutia (now 38 and plying his trade back in his home country with East Bengal) is rennowned amongst Asian football connossieurs as something of a leading light for the region, having amassed 107 caps and 42 goals whilst playing for India, no mean feat when turning out for such a low ranked nation.

Bury's ploy in signing Bhutia seemed to work seemed to work to a degree, with national and international media taking a good deal of interest when Bhutia first joined the club in 1999. Fresh from trials at Fulham and Aston Villa, the prolific Indian striker was hailed as "a boost to the confidence of many Asian youngsters" by Let's Kick Racism Out of Football. After all, Bhutia was only the second

Indian player in history to sign for a club in Europe. Meanwhile, the club's board were hoping to attract a portion of Manchester's Asian community down to Gigg Lane to watch their new international starlet.

Bhutia's debut was not to come for several months, as he had some difficulty in obtaining a work permit. But in April 2000, history was made in a match against Cardiff City when Bhutia entered the pitch as a substitute, becomming the first ever Indian player to appear in professional English football. More records weere broken when Bhutia scored his first goal soon after, against Chesterfield.

But Bhutia found it difficult to adapt to playing in England, struggling to acclimatise to the quicker, more physical standard of the game. A knee injury, coupled with Bury entering administration, put an end to Bhutia's British adventure, and he left Bury having registered 37 games and only 3 goals in the league.

The experiment ended as a relative failure, but who is to say it could not be attempted again?

Perhaps West Didsbury could write themselves into the annals of international football history by being the first ever North West Counties Club to field a player from Bahrain or American Samoa. Stranger things have happened!

THE FA YOUTH CUP v WREXHAM Next Wednesday evening 23rd September, our youth team are at home to Wrexham in the FA Youth Cup, kick off 7.45pm.

This is only our second season in the FA Youth Cup and we’ve progressed to this round after our opponents in the previous round, Lancaster City, withdrew from the competition.

We now enjoy home advantage against the Wrexham academy side, who knocked us out the competition at The Racecourse Ground last season. We will be treating this like a first team home game with admission and a match programme so please get down and support the lads of the future in the club’s first ever home tie in the FA Youth Cup.

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Visiting Brookburn Road today It might be hard to imagine today but in the immediate years following the establishment of Padiham Football Club in November 1878 the `Caldersiders` as they were then known were considered one of Lancashire`s soccer pioneers and one of the better Club sides in England.

The Padiham Club were in at the birth of the Lancashire Football Associations Senior Cup competition in 1879, reached the third round proper of the F.A. Cup in season 1883 - 84 and beat Burnley F.C. 6-0, 7-0, 9-1 and 4-2 in their first four encounters.

Gates of over 2,000 were not uncommon for the visits of teams like Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End, Burnley and other local rivals to Padiham F.C.`s ground which was originally situated on the banks of the River Calder at the end of Wyre Street in Padiham and initially leased from the Shuttleworth family of Gawthorpe Hall.

At present the site is occupied by the Potterton Myson Limited Main Gas factory and nothing remains of the Clubs original ground which witnessed many encounters with Clubs that later achieved Football League status.

In fact it was the setting up of the Football League and the ensuing loss of fixtures with the leading Clubs, as well as the legalisation of professionalism within football that ended Padiham`s initial decade of success.

Being an ardent stalwart of the fight waged from Lancashire for the legalisation of professionalism in football, Padiham`s progressive outlook at the time ironically

PADIHAM

helped fashion the stranglehold football finance came to have on small town Clubs, in hindsight it condemned Padiham to an ongoing fight for survival. Unable to secure the services of players able to compete with the bigger surrounding towns and cities, gates dropped and as a result reduced income meant Padiham had to restrict its activities to playing in the Lancashire Combination Football League and at times the local minor leagues.

The outbreak of World War One curtailed Padiham Football Club`s involvement in active football altogether at the end of the 1915 1916 season, and the loss of their ground during the War meant that Padiham Football Club lay dormant until after the end of World War Two when they were reformed.

The rebirth of Padiham Football Club came about in 1949 with the opening of the `Arbories` Memorial Sports Ground in Padiham on August 20th 1949 when 1,777 spectators turned up to see the Club`s opening Lancashire Combination fixture of the 1949 50 football season.

In 1982, Padiham Football Club became founder members of the North West Counties Football League, however in 1990 they left the league and joined the West Lancashire Football League where they played their football for ten seasons.

Padiham returned to the North West Counties Football League for the 2000/2001 season, winning the Premier Division Title in 2012/13 to gain promotion to the Northern Premier League, where they spent two seasons before being relegated back to the North West Counties Football League for the 2015/16 season. Since 1999 the club has spent in the region of ÂŁ600,000 upgrading their ground.

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First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Next at Brookburn Road…

NWCFL v Runcorn Linnets Saturday 26th September, 3pm Next Saturday 26th September we welcome one of the title favourites Runcorn Linnets. Linnets will be keen to go that elusive step further this year and secure promotion to the Northern Premier League and at the same time put behind then the memory of their last visit when Andy Nelson’s last game in charge saw WEST victorious 2-0. This is also likely to be one of our biggest crowds of the season so get down early if you can to spread the load on the clubhouse volunteers.

THE FA VASE v Donnington Town Saturday 3rd October, 3pm The following Saturday, 3rd October, our attention is back on the road to Wembley, when we entertain Dinnington Town from the Central Midlands League North in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Vase. This will be our third attempt to get through the qualifying rounds and provides us with another chance for a break from the league completion and a chance to get further than we’ve ever been before in a national competition.

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First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

MEN United Cup Draw West have been handed a home tie in the second round of the MEN United Cup draw and will face the winners of Eccleshall or Chadderton.

No date has been confirmed yet for the ties.

Thank you to our last match sponsors We are very grateful to all our recent match sponsors, if you are interested in sponsoring a home game at Brookburn Road please talk to one of our committee members (list inside front cover).

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Winsford United 1 West 0…match report It was a familiar result for West as they fell to their fifth consecutive loss at the Barton Stadium, this time against landlords Winsford United. West were able to name two debutants in the starting line up as Saul Lomax-Newton made his debut after impressing in the reserves whilst Matty Kay returned to West for a second spell having been released by Trafford in the week. Lewis Schofield returned to the line-up at left back

West’s best move of the first half came just before half time as a great pass from Kay released Woods down the right, he cut inside brilliantly and the keeper brilliantly saved his shot and turned it round the post for a West corner. From the corner Eckersley, unmarked, headed wide at the far post. The sides went into the half level with Winsford having had the better chance but West edging ahead in possession and play.

West started brightly as the attacking quartet of Woods, Poizer, Kay and Gleave pressed Winsford from the kick off. In possession the quick interplay between the four created the game’s first chance as some quick passing found Poizer out on the lead and his cross to the far post was headed back across goal by the Winsford centre half narrowly past the post. They went close themselves as some great play through the middle from Kay and Poizer found Gleave on the left whose shot to the near post forced the Winsford goalkeeper to tip it round the post.

The second half had fewer chances then the first half as both teams matched each other in their determination. Winsford created a couple of early chances firing shots from the edge of the area but Lomax-Newton was able to save comfortably.

However the best chance of the first half fell to Winsford as a ball down the right was crossed into the West penalty area, dummied by the first Winsford forward to the winger whose low shot into the bottom right hand corner was brilliantly blocked by Lomax-Newton with Matt Eckersley clearing the follow up off the line.

It was a let off for West but they responded positively with a double effort from Kay and then Gleave blocked by resolute Winsford defending. West finished the half strongly though first they created a chance when Winsford surrendered possession at the edge of their own penalty after more excellent West pressure but Kay chose to chip the goalkeeper but it was tamely hit into the goalkeepers hands.

.

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West responded by bringing on Jamie Wolden in place of Jordan Poole. Wolden had an immediate impact racing to the touchline down the left hand side and pulling the ball back across goal to force the Winsford keeper into another save. Wolden went close again as he dribbled round four Winsford defenders and again forcing the goalkeeper into parrying his shot round the post.

Both teams tired and the home side appeared most happy with settling for a draw whilst pressed for a winner in the latter stages but couldn’t force the goalkeeper into any further saves. Despite this it was Winsford who collected all three points with just eight minutes remaining when a free kick was launched into the far corner; Dale Jennings reached the ball virtually against the corner flag. His cross in deceived everyone and curled inside the far post beyond a helpless Lomax-Newton who could do nothing about it. It was a sucker punch for West who had dominated much of the game and a point would have been a fairer result but they couldn’t find a way back into the game in the last 10 minutes.

Winsford United v West‌match action

Photos Courtesy of: Chris Burrows Photography

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Ashton Athletic 3 West 0 ‌match report For this Tuesday night away game West were without a number of players due to injuries, suspensions and other absences and so it was a rather patched together squad that made the trip to Brocstedes Park, including manager Steve Settle at centre back.

The game began with an Ashton Athletic corner, but it was West who had the better of the opening exchanges, looking dangerous on the counter with Settle and Woods earning corners early on.

Settle marshalled the makeshift defence well, making several good tackles to break down Ashton attacks.

It quickly became apparent that the Brocstedes Park pitch, which had looked deceptively smooth before the game, was saturated from the heavy rainfall earlier in the day, and play was broken down by slips from players on both teams, giving the game a somewhat disjointed feel.

After the ten minute mark, Buckley-Smith was called to action in the West goal, making a couple of solid saves from efforts from Ashton forwards, including a rather ambitious scissor kick from Isaacs Kusaloka.

Callum Jones, playing in the unfamiliar centre back position, was proving to be something of a stalwart in the West back line with a series of strong tackles.

The first real chance of the game resulted in the first goal. Settle was judged to have pushed an Ashton player on the right flank and the resulting free kick was whipped over the top of the West defence and headed in at the back post by Ashton centre back Luke Holden.

But West came close to equalizing shortly after when Ashley Woods latched onto a Matty Kay through ball and his shot from outside the box pinged off the post before rolling out for a goal kick. Shortly after, a Settle free kick met with Poizer's head, but was caught by Martin

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Pearson in the Ashton goal. The half ended with Matty Kay forcing a save and West went in for the break in the ascendancy.

The second half turned out to be a somewhat heated affair, with Lee Gavin picking up a booking on 51 minutes. But worse was to follow when shortly after, Rick Gleave was red carded with the ball out of play, presumably for comments made to the referee.

With the team now down to ten men, Settle brought on Jamie Wolden for Dee in a bid to change the direction of the game. Another booking was to follow shortly after as Settle was booked for a bad challenge.

Shortly after the hour mark, West began to recover slightly, as Wolden burst through on the right wing but finding no support on the counter was forced to shoot from a difficult angle, hitting the side netting. Shortly after, Woods saw his shot go wide.

Further changes followed for West as Ben Steer and Dan Russell replaced Lee Gavin and Ashley Woods. But Ashton began to make use of their man advantage and Kusaloka had soon doubled their lead with a powerful shot from inside the box.

West were two down but by no means out and put in a good attacking display to try and pull a goal back, with efforts on target from Ben Steer, Wolden and Poizer. The game looked to be petering out, but in the 95th minute Ashton piled more misery onto West when winger Adam Howard barrelled down the right wing and slotted the ball calmly past the helpless Buckley-Smith.

Overall, a disappointing result for West, but the depleted squad had some positives to take home, including a spirited performance from several players being used out of position.

However, credit must be given to Ashton Athletic, whose clinical forwards and solidly efficient defence ensured they ended the evening with three points.

CLUB MERCHANDISE…NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!!!

Support your local club and show your support with our latest official club merchandise!

New for this season at £6 (£5 for club members and supporters’ club members) we have beanie hats and a club crest scarf. There are now more ways than ever to buy club merchandise as in addition to being able to purchase on match days our new online club shop is open. Simply log on to www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk today to purchase what you want and have it delivered straight to your front door!

Wrist bands £1, Mugs at £5, Key rings at £1, Club badges at £3 Club Ties at £12.50 Programme Back Issues

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Ground Safety In the interest of spectator comfort and safety, the following conditions apply at the clubs 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

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Attendances so far this season…

‘I just play like I did when I was a kid’ …says Jamie Wolden Towards the latter stages of a recent FA Vase qualifier, a substitute jogs on for West Didsbury and Chorlton. At first glance he is not at all remarkable. It is only when he gets on the ball that the crowd, and the opposition, see what a special player Jamie Wolden is. Bombing down the wing, turning elegant pirouettes, executing delicate Cruyffs and throwing in a bundle of step-overs for good measure, it takes three defenders to eventually bring Wolden down, and even that is only done by tugging at his shirt.

West’s new signing started his career at Bury before turning out in non league for the likes of Rossendale and Atherton Laburnum Rovers. The enigmatic winger has had a career punctuated by a broken leg and a long spell out of the game, but 24 year old Wolden is optimistic about his career.

“I probably would have played at a higher level,” he says confidently. “But I've been quite unlucky.”

And his words are surely not egotistical falsehoods. Indeed, Wolden proves his immense skill every time he graces the pitch for West. He has already become something of a cult favourite amongst the Brookburn Road faithful and fans voice their enthusiasm when he begins his graceful dances down the wing. But in a tough, physical league like the North West Counties, where does this sublime level of skill come from?

“I just play like I did when I was a kid,” Wolden explains. “When you're young and you play with your mates, you just play in the most fun way possible and I still do that. Even when I play in competitive games I still really enjoy myself.

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NWCFL League Table’s after games on Tuesday 15th September

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Appearances and League results table

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

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Thank you for your support.

Today’s NWCFL Premier Division games 1874 Northwich v Maine Road Abbey Hey v AFC Darwen Alsager Town v AFC Blackpool Barnoldswick Town v Runcorn Town Bootle v Ashton Athletic Cammell Laird v Nelson Colne v AFC Liverpool Runcorn Linnets v Atherton Collieries Silsden v Winsford United Squires Gate v Congleton Town WEST v Padiham

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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.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL Premier Division

Saturday 19th September 2015 West Didsbury & Chorlton

PADIHAM

White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks

Dark Blue Shirts, Dark Blue Shorts & Socks

Hayden Buckley-Smith (G) Saul Lomax-Newton (G) Sam Dee Callum Jones Scott Mason Mark Rodgers Anthony Potts Lewis Schofield Richmond Botchey Michael Simcock Jordan Poole Rick Gleave Matty Kay Jonathan Poizer Lee Gavin Dan Russell Matt Eckersley Sam Mitten Jamie Waldon Ashley Woods Tommy Walsh Ben Steer

Michael Donlon(G) Sean Davis (G) Josh Waine Matt Cross Andrew Hill Martin Parkes Tom Fowler Dominic Slaven Chris Turner Alex Ralph Kieron Pickup Curtis Haley Lee Botham Alex Murphy Seydou Bamba Josh Emmott Michael West Jordan Scott Nathan Egan

Manager: Steve Settle Assts: Steve Brockley & Steve Eckersley

Manager: Stephen Wilkes Assistant: Stephen Pickup

OFFICIALS Referee: Alan Bennett | Assistant Referees: Anthony Bell & Ben Richards www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Ass

NEXT HOME FIXTURE: Saturday, 26th Sept v Runcorn Linnets – 3.00pm