West Preview | Garforth Town (A)

Garforth Town v West

• Saturday 8th August
• 3pm kick-off
• Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
• BD Community Stadium, Cedar Ridge, Garforth, LS25 2PF
• Admission, pay on the gate or purchase in advance
  • £10 Adults
  • £7 Concessions (65+)
  • £3 Under 16s
  • £23 Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 under 16s)

Following a challenging start to life in the Midland Football League, West look to kick start the 2026/27 campaign with a trip to Northern Premier League Division One East side Garforth Town.

After the midweek loss against Runcorn Town co-manager Steve Yarwood left West, bringing his two-year association with the club to an end. Lee Rick therefore takes solo charge for the first time and a stern test awaits, with an away tie at one of the highest ranked sides entering this stage of the competition.

Garforth earned promotion from the 9th tier - where West currently reside - in 2023/24 after a decade of trying, and have settled well to life in the NPL D1 East, finishing 9th in each of the past two seasons. They're yet to play a league game yet this season, with their opening fixture currently scheduled for Tuesday as they welcome Beverley Town.

In the FA Cup they've had less joy, progressing past the Extra Preliminary round once since 2020; a run to the 2024/25 First Qualifying round ended by Bury. Last season West Auckland Town scuppered their hopes, leaving Cedar Ridge with a 3-2 victory.

West, on the other hand, have enjoyed numerous runs into the qualifying rounds in recent history. Since first entering the competition in 2013/14, there have only been three occasions where our Cup hopes ended at the final whistle of our first tie. Last season saw Winsford United and Brighouse Town defeated, before Runcorn Linnets won 2-0 at Brookburn Road. Our best campaign was the season prior, when Darlington edged us out 2-1 in the 2nd Qualifying Round at a packed Step Places Stadium.

This will be the first recorded meeting between the two sides - if scores are level at 90 minutes on Saturday then we'll host a replay in Chorlton on Tuesday, where extra time and penalties come into play.

Travelling to the game

We are providing return coach travel to the game, with seats priced £20. We depart from the Bowling Green at midday, and while spaces remain you can purchase yours here.

A comprehensive matchday guide to parking, food, and more can be found on the Garforth website here.

In terms of public transport links, works and action may be that travel is limited or altered: at the time of writing, a rail replacement bus will be operating between Garforth and Leeds. Planning ahead is recommended.

If you're unable to make the game, updates will be provided via our WhatsApp channel, which you can follow here.