West 1-0 Nelson

Saturday 17th January 2026
FA Vase Fourth Round
West 1 Nelson 0

West XI: Martin, Jones, L.Roberts, Riley, McConnell, Moscrop, H.Roberts, Murray (Abadaki, 68) (Kenny, 75), Elliott, Lazenbury, Dawson (Billingsley, 61). 

Subs not used: Matthews, Parkinson

West booked their place in the last 16 of the FA Vase on Saturday thanks to a professional 1-0 win over Nelson. 

Manager Paul Marshall made three changes from the side who had been drubbed 4-1 by Charnock Richard three days earlier, as Adam Jones, Brandon Dawson and Harvey Roberts came into the starting XI. 

It was a fairly non-eventful match for such a significant result in West's season. The first half went by with neither side having any clear-cut chances, and the tension began to grow among the 1057 inside Brookburn Road as the early stages of the second half produced more of the same. 

The decisive moment was arguably the introduction of Victor Abadaki in the 68th minute. Within seconds of entering the pitch he chased after a ball over the top, and found himself in a race for the loose ball. He blitzed Finn Devenney for pace, and the Nelson centre-back was left with little option but to haul Abadaki down as he approached the penalty area. The referee did not hesitate to dismiss Devenney, which handed West a numerical advantage going into the final 20 minutes. 

That advantage was immediately seized upon by Jordan Lazenbury, who smashed home the resulting free kick in front of a delirious Shed end. 

Nelson pushed for an equaliser that never came, and despite good opportunities for Ben Elliott and Harvey Roberts, the score remained at 1-0 and secured West's place in the 5th Round for only the second time ever.

Article by Ollie Sargent, Photo by Nathan Ashmall