The Shakers start 2025 in great shape after a final few games of the year which saw us wrap us the festive season with seven points from three games marked by some solid performances and 12 goals.
It was a tough run, and this will be a tough game in South Manchester. But we’re at the top of the league, with 64 points from 30 games, compared with West’s 50 from 28 in fifth position.
Despite much of the squad suffering from a bug we overcame an early goal to come away 5-2 derby day winners against Prestwich Heys.
Much credit for the size of the winning margin must go to Rustam Stepans. He came on as a late sub despite being one of several players in the squad who were unwell.
The two goals he scored in a matter of minutes took his tally for the season to 18, and included a classic of the kind we’ve often seen from him this term.
So here’s to 2025: one game a week with no postponements (fingers crossed), and eyes set firmly on promotion.
You know the drill, back the lads! Loud and proud! Up The Shakers.
In Opposition – West Didsbury & Chorlton
West started life as a Sunday School team in 1908 and became West Didsbury AFC in 1920. They added Chorlton to their name in 2003 to reflect their move to their current location seven years earlier.
Joining the NWCFL in 2012 and were promoted to the premier division after just one season.
They are currently on a good run, having won five and lost only one of their last six matches.
Next up after the Shakers is a visit to North Shields in the fourth round of the Isuzu FA Vase – a competition in which West have enjoyed considerable success.
Admission & Tickets
This fixture is STRICTLY ALL-TICKET, for which our allocation of 400 has sold out.
A QR code has been provided for each transaction. For example, if one supporter purchases multiple tickets, all persons bought on that transaction should enter the ground together.
Travel & Parking
Ground: Step Places Stadium
Address: End of Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester
Postcode: M21 8FE
Driving: From the M60 take junction 5 onto Princess Road towards city centre. Turn left at Christie Fields offices/Premier Inn onto Barlow Moor Road and continue past Chorlton Park to Chorlton bus station. Turn left into Beech Road, then 2nd left into Reynard Road and continue past the Chorltonville sign passing over 5 speed ramps as far as Brookburn Primary School. Turn left into Brookburn Road and continue to the end of the cul de sac, through the gateway and down the tarmac access which leads into the ground.
From Stretford follow Edge Lane and turn right into St Clements Road at church. Continue through Chorlton Green and pass graveyard on left and then Bowling Green PH. Go past school and turn immediately right and continue to end of Brookburn Road as above.
Nearest Railway: Chorlton Metrolink (0.9 miles)
Nearest Bus Route to Ground: 86 – Manchester Piccadilly Gardens to Barlow Moor Road Bus Station
Parking Facilities: Hardy Lane Chorlton M21 8DP.
Prohibited Items: Bringing pyrotechnics, drums/instruments and/or alcohol into the ground is prohibited. It is a criminal offence to bring pyrotechnics into any stadium. Stewards may conduct bag searches for prohibited items upon entrance to the stadium. Bag searches are a condition of entry and your co-operation is greatly appreciated. Spectators who break these rules may be banned from the ground and any pyrotechnics and/or alcohol will be confiscated.
On the day: Food & drink is available throughout the ground.
Match Coverage & Live Stream
If you are unable to make the game, we’ll have all the live coverage across our media platforms.
Live Stream: For this game, we will have no live stream. Keep up-to-date with all our video content via the club’s YouTube Channel. Click to subscribe and never miss highlights and match reaction across the season.
Audio Commentary: Roch Valley Radio will be providing commentary for this game. Click here ahead of kick-off to listen live. Audio commentary will be provided for every game of the season, so you will never miss a piece of the action.
Social Media: Our team will also bring you in-depth text commentary via the club ‘MatchDay Live‘ Twitter feed, with team news and half time and full time updates available also on Facebook and feel like you are there with our match galleries and imagery available over on Instagram.
Whatever the weather, wherever you are across the globe, we have you covered.
Up the Shakers!
