West 1-2 Padiham

West 1-2 Padiham - Saturday 21 March 2026

West XI: Passant, Rowney, McConnell, Jackson, L Roberts, Moscrop, H. Roberts, Jones, Elliott, Quadri, Dawson

Subs: Matthews, Riley (unused), Abadaki, McGlynn, Kenny (unused)

West's playoff bid was dealt a huge blow on Saturday as rivals Padiham left Brookburn Road with three vital points following a last minute winner.

Over 1300 turned out at watch West play this six-pointer on a beautiful afternoon in South Manchester, and manager Steve Yarwood made three changes to the side were well-beaten at Ramsbottom United in midweek. 

It wasn't a great surprise that the match took a long time to come to life. Both sides knew that they couldn't afford to come away empty-handed, and the opening exchanges were played at a tentative pace as the large Brookburn crowd basked in the warm sunshine. 

The match remained goalless at the break, and it took until the 72nd minute for there to be any real incidents of note. Unfortunately for West, that incident was a penalty which was awarded to the visitors. 

It wasn't clear exactly what the offence was which led to the penalty, but the referee stated afterwards that he gave the spot kick for a push on a Padiham forward following a high ball into the box. The penalty was dispatched and West knew that an immediate reply was essential. 

That reply came ten minutes later when a penalty was given at the other end for a foul on Callum McGlynn in front of a baying Shed end. The kick was dispatched by Ben Elliott to level the scores, but a further setback came just seconds later when Jack McConnell was dismissed for a second yellow card. 

The dismissal left an outnumbered West side to defend a free kick 25 yards from goal. They were unable to do so, however, and Matthew Makinson got the decisive touch on the ball into the box,  and sent the visitors home with three vital points. 

The result left West seven points outside the playoffs after just one win in six league matches. With just seven league games remaining, West now have a mountain to climb to repeat last season's playoff finish.

Article - Ollie Sargent, Photo - Nathan Ashmall