West 3-1 Abbey Hey

Wednesday 28 January 2026 
NWCFL Premier Division
West 3-1 Abbey Hey  

West: Martin, Kenny, Jackson, Riley, L.Roberts, Moscrop, Parkinson, H.Roberts, Elliott, Lazenbury, Billingsley

Subs (all used): Jones, Rowney, Matthews, McGlynn, Banister 

West recorded their first league win of 2026 last Wednesday with a satisfying victory over local rivals Abbey Hey in what was West's 100th game under the stewardship of Paul Marshall and Steve Yarwood. 

The pair made four changes to the side that were beaten at Stockport Town four days earlier, as Jake Kenny, Lee Jackson, Kaleb Parkinson and Lewis Billingsley returned to the starting XI.

Visitors Abbey Hey approached the game just outside the relegation places, but they were the side that opened the scoring. The goal came in the 22nd minute when Dillon Edmondson reacted first to an Ollie Martin parry.

West however did manage to pull themselves level on the stroke of half time. That goal saw another century being celebrated, as Ben Elliott finished off a goalmouth scramble to register his 100th career goal. 

West had to wait until 15 minutes from time to get their noses in front though, and the goal once again came from a close range Ben Elliott finish. It was another goal that was attributable to the visitors failing to clear their lines from a dangerous ball into the box, and once again Elliott showed his instincts by stabbing home a volley from 12 yards out. 

The result didn't look to be in doubt from that point on, but the points were sealed in second half stoppage time as Billy Matthews cut in from the right hand side of the box and curled home a shot with only the keeper to beat. 

The full time whistle followed shortly afterwards and held West's position in the playoff places.

Article by Ollie Sargent