West Didsbury & Chorlton v Runcorn town

2015-16 SEASON

Official Programme

£ 2.00

NWCFL Premier Division

Runcorn Town Saturday 2 January 2016& CHORLTON AFC WEST DIDSBURY 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 Currey 07768 763209

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 & Welcome to… Runcorn Town A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE Welcome to The Recreation Ground for our first game of the New Year and a warm welcome to everyone from Runcorn Town. Our visitors are flying high this season having recovered from a series of disappointing early season results as it took them 6 games to get a first league win, but since then they have settled to become one of the most consistent performers in this Division and also having enjoyed a great run in the FA Vase, including a fantastic 1-1 result away at North Shields, last season’s winners. Town were looking forward to the replay in Runcorn on 21st December, but that game was postponed due to floodlight problem and when going to print an alternative date was awaited from the FA. The results of our respective Boxing Day derby games were unknown when we had to go to print early because of Christmas and New Year holidays. Runcorn Town were due to play Runcorn Linnets on Boxing Day whilst WEST travelled to neighbours Maine Road on 27th December. Whatever the results, WEST will be anxious to eliminate the errors which cost us the game against Ashton Athletic here on the Saturday before Christmas. Athletic couldn’t believe their luck as Christmas came early with two goal gifted in the opening and closing minutes of the first half with a series of missed opportunities in between meaning we just couldn’t get back in the game. It was a real shame as we played a lot of good flowing football in the first half despite several enforced changes to the team, and there was plenty of support as we were urged on by an enthusiastic local crowd. However, some excellent goalkeeping, poor decision making in front of goal and the goalposts all combined to blunt every West attempt to score and the game petered out as a contest in the second half once Ashton added a third with half an hour left.

Looking back on our previous encounters with Runcorn Town and ahead to today’s game, matches between our two clubs have always been close affairs since we first met in the Premier Division a couple of seasons back. WEST won both encounters 1-0, in our first season following promotion, whereas last season honours were even with Runcorn winning an early season game here 2-1 before WEST won 2-1 at Runcorn in mid December 2014, holding on to bag all 3 points even though the last 15 minutes saw West reduced to 9 men and Runcorn to 10.

Simon Burton encourages his Runcorn team to play good free flowing football and if our previous games are anything to go by we should be in for an entertaining contest again today.

THANK YOU Looking back briefly on 2015 we have experimented with a few initiatives to build on our local support base and increase numbers. The game against Ashton Athletic was kindly sponsored by Digital Media Ltd. and we more than doubled the attendance of the previous year as the novelty of a free drink token on admission was snapped up by many people. Manchester Evening News gave the initiative a plug and the ‘gate’ of 166 was one of the best of the season and about 50 over our average attendance so far this season.

Thank you to Rob McKay and Digital Media for organising the afternoon’s events, including the choristers at half time and a big thank you too to Glyn, Monica and Dave who did sterling work behind the bar all afternoon. Not forgetting Paul who was on duty again at the gate dealing with increased numbers, handing out drink tickets and to Jonny and Danny selling tickets.

ENJOY THE GAME TODAY, have a safe journey home and we’ll look forward to seeing you again on Saturday 16th January.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

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Steve Settle’s Notes Good afternoon everyone and welcome to this afternoons league fixture against Runcorn Town. Firstly, on behalf of the management team and players, I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone connected to the club a very Happy New Year.

Today we welcome Simon Burton and his team to Brookburn Road in what promises to be a tough fixture for the boys. Runcorn are having a good season to date. They are currently in the top 6 and are one of only a couple of NWCFL teams still batting in the Vase. Indeed I’m sure I speak for everyone connected with the club by wishing Simon and his team the best of luck in the replay against North Shields this week.

As I write these notes we are all still reeling from the Ashton result. To lose at home 3-0 is never nice. But with a big crowd and the manner in which we conceded the 3 goals it’s taking Rob, Brocks, Ecky and I a little longer to get over it! Overall I think we were lacking sharpness, some of which can be accounted by the fact we had gone 3 weeks without a competitive fixture however we prepared well in the 2 weeks knowing that we might be a little ring rusty. I’ve stressed that it is important for the players to undertake their own training if they are unavailable to attend team training.

At this time of year it is important to maintain fitness levels as the weather has an impact on games alongside the festivities. Since September we have set high standards for ourselves but we fell way below these levels against Ashton. We also weren’t helped by the unavailability of Matt Eck. It meant Mark Rogers dropping into the back 4 and us changing our shape.

Looking forward we have some winnable games and it’s important we get back to winning ways as soon as possible. We have set an ambitious target of 70 points for the boys which will mean 13 more wins from the remaining 19 games. If we can keep everyone fit I’m confident we will be there or there abouts! In addition we want to be the highest placed team in Manchester at our level. This means finishing above Abbey Hey and Maine Road. This would represent progress for us as a group.

Finally I’d like to say how brilliant the atmosphere at the Ashton game was. It was superb to see everyone packed into the colloquially named ‘Tommy Walsh’ stand.

Thanks really needs to go to everyone involved trying to promote the club in the community. I gather that 80 people had signed up prior to the game for their Christmas beer! 3 seasons ago we would have been lucky to get 80 people on the ground including players and officials.

So to have over 150 is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved!

Thanks for the support and enjoy the game!

Setts

Thank you to our match sponsors v Ashton Athletic digitalmediateam.co.uk 3ff Station House, Stamford New Rd. Altrincham WA14 1EP

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 0 Ashton Athletic 3 …match report A bumper crowd of 166 saw a disappointing West performance as they were well beaten at home to Ashton Athletic. West’s first competitive game in almost a month saw them without Matt Eckersley and Callum Jones whilst Joe Shaw turned out for his parent club Glossop. As a result West were forced to adopt an unfamiliar 4-4-2 formation as Sam Dee was handed his first start since September 15th and they were no fewer than three debutants on the bench.

West got off to the worst possible start as they conceded a free kick at the edge of their own penalty after a minute. Danny Smith’s free kick was curled over the wall and tipped onto the inside of the post by Hayden Buckley-Smith onto the line. In the scramble West failed to clear the ball and Athletic captain Ian Rowlands poked it in on the line.

Ashton were the brighter of the two teams in the opening 10 minutes as they adapted the better of the two teams to the conditions however, West responded and almost levelled when a long pass over the top released Ben Steer but he slipped before he could apply the finishing touch. Two minutes later Steer combined with Lee Gavin on the left from a throw in with Gavin’s long range effort hitting the side netting at the near post.

The West pressure continued and on 13 minutes West went close again as a counter attacking move down the right found Lewis Schofield on the left whose low cross found Steer who was denied a goal by a superb last ditch tackle. Matty Kay, playing in the unusual position of centre midfield, forced Ashton goalkeeper into a his first save as his 30 yard effort was parried away from danger. West continued to pile on the pressure in search of a leveller as another counter attacking found Woods on the left with Steer flicking his cross just wide.

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On 20 minutes Ashton responded with a brilliant pass to release Smith one-on-one but West keeper Hayden Buckley-Smith raced out of his goal and saved brilliantly with his feet outside of the area. West responded two minutes later with arguably their best chance of the game as Steer burst into the box from the left and dragged his shot across the goal but wide of the post with the entire goal at his mercy. On 35 minutes Buckley-Smith came to the rescue again as saving one-on-one from another Ashton counter. The best save of the game came on 36 minutes as a long West throw dropped into the penalty area and in the ensuing scramble Ashton goalkeeper Martin Pearson made a brilliant save tipping a goal bound effort onto the post.

The significance of the save was heightened five minutes later as a back pass into the West penalty area took a bobble as Buckley-Smith went to clear and Ashton’s Smith won the race to the goal-line and forced it home on the goalline. The goal came four minutes before half time and it was a killer blow.

It would get worse for West five minutes into the second half as West failed to deal with an Ashton attack, and Smith added his second spotting Buckley-Smith off his line and firing his shot brilliantly over him high into the goal.

They almost added a fourth when a free kick into the box was fired wide inside the six yard box.

The second half produced little drama, West had chances to make the score-line a little more respectable as West first had a great chance cleared off the line from Woods before two great diving tackles blocked goal bound West efforts. The most notable moment of the second half was another terrific save by Ashton goalkeeper Pearson as he tipped a long range effort from Nic Evangelinos drive over the bar with his finger tips in the final 10 minutes. Little more of consequence occurred as West were thoroughly and deservedly beaten by an Ashton Athletic side who leapfrogged West in the table.

West v Ashton Athletic … match action

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

The choristers entertaining everyone in the clubhouse during the interval

We wish all the supporters, management and players the very best over the Christmas period and for 2016 From the club’s committee

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

2015 IN BRIEF – some highlights January February March April May June July August September October November December

A 3-0 home win against St Helens Town is the only highlight in a run of 10 games following a 2-2 Boxing Day draw with Maine Road, lasting all through… …and up until 7th March with all the other 9 league and cup games lost.

Andy Nelson decides to retire and Steve Settle is appointed Manager for 2015-16.

Andy is given a send off in style as we beat Runcorn Linnets 2-0 in his final game at home.

WEST Youth team win the NW Youth Alliance President’s Cup for the first time.

Close season pitch improvements and installation of a new access to the playing fields.

Bar upgraded with installation of new chiller cabinets to keep the Krombacher cool.

New pre-season friendlies with trip to Holyhead Hotspur and home to Bromsgrove Sporting.

A team and Youth team have a new home ground at Hardy Farm adjoining the club.

New lampposts and lights installed at the club entrance and car park entrance.

WEST set a new FA Vase record winning 15-1 against Dinnington Town with 10 different scorers.

Jeff Smith MP opens our new grass pitches as home for our junior teams.

Brilliant Family Bonfire Event with over 500 people attending.

First post match supporter discussions re priorities for further club development.

Andy waves goodbye……

Jeff Smith after opening the new grass pitches The new boss Steve Settle (right) with his assistant Steve Brockley

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A Bonfire night to remember for young and old together

The record breaking FA Vase result 15-1 v Dinnington Town

The new pitches in use by our junior teams

A few years ago this could only have been a dream!! Thank you to our great support

Watch this space as the story continues to develop

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Next visitors to Brookburn Road Winsford United Saturday, 16th January, 3.00pm AFC Darwen Saturday, 23rd January, 3.00pm Colne Saturday, 30th January, 3.00pm Silsden Saturday 13th February, 3.00pm Bootle Saturday 5th March, 3.00pm

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First Team Stats fixtures - results – appearances – goalscorer

This Months 200

Club winners…

£100 winner: Conrad Betton £60 winner: Hugo Bougani £40 winner: Chris Argent

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

History of Runcorn Town Pre Runcorn Town Runcorn Town were formed in 1967 under the name of Mond Rangers. They played for the first few years in the Runcorn Sunday league, and in 1973 they made the decision to try Saturday football in the impressive Warrington and District League (WDL).

In their first season they finished as runners up, and after amalgamating with ICI Weston for the 1974/75 season, they became one of the strongest sides in the league. They remained in the WDL until 1984 when they were elected to join the West Cheshire League (WCL) Division Two. A reserve team was also set up playing in the WDL and a youth team established.

Mond established themselves as a good, solid mid-table team until the 1991/92 season when they won their first silverware in the West Cheshire Bowl as well as a respectable sixth place finish. The following season they finished third in the league and reached the Bowl final, and improved again the following season by finishing third in the league, scoring 100 goals, and regaining the Bowl.

Promotion finally came in 1994/95 when they finished second in the league scoring 118 goals. They also reached the Final of the Cheshire Amateur Cup but lost 2-1 to Poulton Victoria in a match played at Prenton Park, Tranmere.

This period of success was mirrored throughout the club. The youth team won the league in 1993/94, and were runners up in the Cheshire Youth Cup. The following season they went one better in the Cheshire Youth Cup and also won the Warrington Youth Cup.

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The reserves meanwhile switched to the Chester League, winning Division Two in 1996/97 and then Division One the season after. They did not lose a game for two seasons. The reserves were then successful in joining the WCL's newly formed Division Three in 1998.

1998 also saw a women's team play at Mond for the first time, with the team playing in the North West Ladies League. They won Division Three at the first attempt and also the League Cup. The following year they finished as runners up in Division Two, and with it promotion to Division One. In 2001/02, they achieved their finest hour with an away tie in the cup at Manchester United Ladies, where they went down 4-3. The ladies team left Mond in 2001 to merge with Liverpool FC Ladies.

Meanwhile the first team struggled in WCL Division One, despite sharing the Bill Weight Memorial Trophy in that first season. They were relegated for the first time in the clubs history in 2001/02.

The 2004/05 saw success return to the club with the first team finishing as runners up in Division Two, winning the Runcorn Senior Cup and reaching the final of the Bowl. The reserves won WCL3, the WCL Shield, and also reached the final of the Warrington Guardian Cup. Both teams were promoted.

Renaming of the club Ahead of the 2005/06 season, the club changed their name to Runcorn Town in order to try and bring a more professional look to the club in general, and hopefully increase support from both businesses and individuals in the local community. A decision was also made to try and improve facilities at the club with a view to joining the North West Counties League.

Although progressing off the pitch, the team had mixed fortunes on it. The youth team finished third in the league and won the league cup. The reserves adapted well to WCL2 and the first team got off to a good start by winning the Bill Weight Memorial Cup.

The club also won the Runcorn Cup, were runners up in the Pyke Cup, and finished third in the league, the clubs' highest ever finish.

The reserves were disappointed to finish third in the league, but won the West Cheshire Shield.

The Runcorn Cup was added but on the final day of the season, Town slipped into the relegation places for the first time to suffer a heartbreaking relegation. To make matters worse, although the reserves finished 6th in WCL2, they were also relegated as clubs cannot have more than one team in each division.

The following two seasons saw Town continue to push for honours with both the first team and reserves registering top four finishes. Off the field, the transformation of the ground continued with floodlights installed for the first time.

Town quickly regrouped and bounced back by winning the WCL2 for the first time in the clubs' history. The reserves also had a new look team with the club disbanding the youth team and "merging" it with the reserves, and despite most of the team playing open aged football for the first time, finished in sixth place in the league.

The 2007/08 season was probably the most successful in the clubs' history, with the team opening the season by sharing the Bill Weight Cup with West Kirby after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Final.

The summer of 2010 saw the club again take a massive step forward. The first team were elected to join the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) and entered the FA Vase and Cheshire Senior Cup for the first time. In their first season the club achieved promotion to the NWFCL Premier Division as well as reaching the Last 32 of the FA Vase.

The reserves were also in new territory having joined the Cheshire League, whilst the club also reintroduced the youth team who played in the West Cheshire Youth League. The first steps into junior football were also undertaken with an Under 12's team joining the Halton & District Junior League. This has further been expanded upon with the introduction of an Under 9's for the 2011/12 season.

Tel: 0161 428 5101 75 High Street, Cheadle, SK8 1AA

www.printonuk.co.uk

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Join the action‌and support your local team

There will be a number of ways to get involved as a volunteer and support us both on and off the pitch as we strive to see West’s development programme continue.

If you or your company can help financially packages include:

Match Day Sponsorship - Programme Advertising - Pitch boards Match Ball Sponsors - Sponsoring a Seat - Sponsoring a shirt

For any information please talk to anyone on the committee.

Details are inside the front cover or ask behind the bar to be pointed in the right direction.

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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

Follow News Updates on West via Twitter and Facebook!

Can’t make it to the game and want live match updates? Wanting the very latest news from the club on the move? Make sure that you log onto our Facebook page for all the latest news, views and updates on all things West Didsbury & Chorlton by clicking on www.facebook.com/WestDidsburyChorlton Alternatively you can follow on the very latest goings on the club with exclusive content by logging onto Twitter and following us @WD_CFC (picture of club badge)

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

NWCFL League Tables after games on Saturday 19th December

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Cheshire League results and fixtures - Reserves 15th Aug 18th Aug 22nd Aug 29th Aug 5th Sept 12th Sept 19th Sept 26th Sept 3rd Oct 10th Oct 17th Oct 24th Oct 31st Oct 7th Nov 14th Nov 21st Nov 28th Nov 15th Dec

Lostock Gralam AFC Macclesfield FC St Helens Wythenshawe Town – JAW Cup Cheadle Town Reserves Mersey Valley FC Lostock Gralam Unicorn Athletic Mersey Valley FC Warrington Town Reserves AFC Macclesfield Warrington Town Reserves Litherland REMYCA Reserves Unicorn Athletic Moore United FC Cuddington FC Unicorn Athletic – JAW Cup Cheadle Town Res. – JAW Cup

(H) (A) (A) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A) (A) (H) (H) (A) (A) (H) (H) (A) (A) (H)

1-2 (L) 2-0 (L) 2-0 (L) 1-0 (L) 2-2 (D) 3-5 (L) 1-0 (L) 1-3 (W) 2-1 (L) 3-7(L) 0-3 (L) 2-1(L) 1-2 (W) 5-1 (W) p-p p-p p-p p-p

North West Youth Alliance results and fixtures - Youth Team 16th Aug Ashton Athletic 23rd Aug AFC Fylde 30th Aug Skelmersdale United 6th Sept Morecambe 13th Sept Curzon Ashton 20th Sept Curzon Ashton 27th Sept Nelson - Cup 11th Oct Hyde United 18th Oct Winstanley Warriors 25th Oct St Helens Town 11th Oct Hyde United 18th Oct Winstanley Warriors 25th Oct St Helens Town 1st Nov Morecambe 8th Nov AFC Blackpool 15th Nov Altrincham 22nd Nov AFC Flyde Cup 29th Nov Altrincham 6th Dec Ashton Athletic 13th Dec AFC Fylde 20th Dec Skelmersdale United

(A) (H) (A) (H) (H) (A) (A) (A) (H) (H) (A) (H) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (H)

3-2 (L) 1-4 (L) 7-0 (L) 0-5 (L) 2-0 (W) 1-1 (W) 3-2(W) 1-2 (W) AET 5-0 (W) 0-5 (L) 1-2 (W) AET 5-0 (W) 0-5 (L) 1-4 (W) 4-4 (W) 4-5 p p-p 8-1 (L) p-p p-p p-p p-p

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Appearances and League attendances

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL Results this season

NWCFL Premier Division - Saturday 19th December 1874 Northwich v Cammell Laird 1907 AFC Darwen v Bootle Alsager Town V AFC Liverpool Atherton Collieries v Ashton Athletic Colne v AFC Blackpool Congleton Town v Maine Road Padiham v Nelson Runcorn Linnets v Winsford United Silsden v Abbey Hey Squires Gate v Barnoldswick Town WEST v Runcorn Town

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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 2 January 2016 West Didsbury & Chorlton

Runcorn Town

White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks

Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts & Blue Socks

Hayden Buckley-Smith (G) Saul Lomax-Newton (G) Sam Dee Callum Jones Scott Mason Mark Rodgers © Anthony Potts Lewis Schofield Richmond Botchey Gary Lilley Jordan Poole Rick Gleave Matty Kay Jonathan Poizer Lee Gavin Matt Eckersley Nic Evangelinos Ashley Woods Joe Shaw Ben Steer Adam Hilton Manager: Steve Settle Assts: Steve Brockley & Steve Eckersley

Daniel Lever (G) Chris Lester Chris Lawton Adam McKillop Tom Sperritt Lee Roberts Marvin Molyneux Sean Kelly Mark Keddie Samuel Houghton Chris Dykes Jack Irlam Phil MacDiarmid James McShane Paul Shanley Rob Ablewhite Nathan Martland Alex McPolin Simon Burton Stephen Milne Curtis Cummins Warren Bellew Manager: Simon Burton Assistant: Tom Spearritt

OFFICIALS Referee: Michael Crusham | Assistant Referees: Dominic Bell & Bob Richards www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk NEXT HOME FIXTURE: Saturday, 16 JanuaryAssv Winsford United – 3.00pm