August 2026 Recap
After last season’s heroics, gaining promotion for the first time in the club’s history to the Northern Premier League Division One East, work started on assembling the squad for the new season.
Among those leaving included Craig Moody, Leo Robinson, and Alfie Steel, whilst 14 of the promotion winning squad remained, which was critical to Manager Gareth Young.
James Harrison rejoined from Whitby Town. Josh Scott came in after a spell at Darlington. Striker Connor Shields joined from Penrith, along with Wayne Whitfield from Bishop Auckland, and goalkeeper Steven Bessent.
Yarm & Eaglescliffe 2-2 West Auckland Town [FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round] 08/08/2026
West’s first game of the season came in the FA Cup, where we were drawn away to Yarm & Eaglescliffe in the Extra Preliminary Round. Cieran Jackson opened the scoring after West were awarded a penalty in the first minute. Jackson would be sent off soon after a push on a Yarm player. Fin O’Gorman opened his account in the second half to put West 0-2 up. Yarm then started to build some momentum, and scored their first score in the 62nd minute as they looked to make a comeback. Yarm found an equaliser in the 73rd minute. Connor Shields was then sent off with 7 minutes left, which led to a nervy ending. The match finished 2-2, with a replay to follow three days later.
MOTM: Matty Cassap // Attendance: 224
West Auckland Town 3-2 Yarm & Eaglescliffe [FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay] 11/08/2026
West, missing Cieran Jackson and Connor Shields to suspension, looked to advance the FA Cup in a replay following Saturdays 2-2 draw. It didn’t start well. Yarm scored after 6 minutes, and increased their lead 20 minutes later. West went in to half-time with work to do. In a game or two halves, West came out in the second half with meaning. Cobi Jones scored on 50 minutes, to gave hope to the home supporters. Time was running out, but up stepped Cobi Jones, once again, to equalise in the 90th minute. With the game destined for extra-time, there was one last opportunity. The ball fell to James Harrison just inside the Yarm box, who smashed it into the net in the 92nd minute, and send West in to the Preliminary Round.
MOTM: Ben Dale // Attendance: 231
North Ferriby 2-2 West Auckland Town [NPL Division One East] 15/08/2026
West arrived in East Riding of Yorkshire for their first match in Step 4. A huge occasion for the team. With no time for West to settle into their new surroundings, North Ferriby striker Jake Day made it 1-0 after quarter of an hour. As West held on and looked to build possession, Ferriby made it two. 2-0 after half an hour played. A key moment in the game came on 38 minutes. Fin O’Gorman scored his first league goal, and West’s first goal in Step 4, to make it 2-1 going into halftime. This proved to be a big moment in the game, as West became more comfortable and composed. James Harrison made a great run down the flank and found Josh Scott at the back post to equalise. 2-2 after an hour played. There was some late drama. First, new on-loan signing Gildo Da Silva hit the bar for West. Then, with the last kick of the game, North Ferriby got what they thought was the winner. Their goal was ruled out after a foul on goalkeeper Matty Cassap. A great start for West, and first point on the board.
MOTM: Fin O’Gorman // Attendance: 348
Morpeth Town 2-0 West Auckland Town [NPL Division One East] 18/08/2026
With a second away league game in four days, West headed to Morpeth. A team competing in the NPL Premier League last season (two leagues above when West were in the Northern League), this was always going to be a test. West challenged and had good spells of possession throughout the game. It wasn’t until the 80th minute that Morpeth made a breakthrough. West continued to push to equalise, but it was the home team who scored again. With 91 minutes on the clock, Morpeth got another to put the game to bed. A convincing performance nonetheless from the away team.
MOTM: Liam Hegarty // Attendance: 325
West Auckland Town 0-1 Shildon [FA Cup Preliminary Round] 22/08/2026
The FA Cup victory against Yarm & Eaglescliffe set up an exciting clash with local rivals Shildon. It is was a repeat of the 2025/26 Northern League Division One Playoff Final. Both teams were very keen and looked to progress. It was a fairly even, uneventful hour, and it wasn’t until the 71st minute that the only goal of the game was scored. Shildon’s Ben Reay found the net and sent Shildon home with a little bit of revenge, and a place in the next round.
MOTM: James Hughes // Attendance: 261
West Auckland Town 3-0 Silsden [NPL Division One East] 25/08/2026
West welcomed Silsden in our first home league match of the season. West managed and controlled the game for 90 minutes, in an impressive display all round. Fin O’Gorman got his second league goal of the season, scoring in the 65th minute. A well deserved goal for West. Two further goals followed in the 72nd and 78th, as James Harrison and Connor Shields both opened their league accounts. This was a fine display, and emphasised the importance of what will be a very important home field advantage during the season.
MOTM: James Hughes // Attendance: 231
Ashington 3-1 West Auckland Town [FA Trophy First Round Qualifying] 29/08/2026
West faced Ashington away in the FA Trophy First Round Qualifying. This was the first time West had competed in this competition. West opened the scoring on 8 minutes when James Hughes scored. West went in at halftime with the lead. Ashington came out in the second and changed the game. Three goals saw them progress to the next round. A disappointing ending to the game after a promising first half.
MOTM: Adam Mitchell // Attendance: 303
Dunston 4-0 West Auckland Town [NPL Division One East] 31/08/2026
The exit in the FA Trophy was quickly followed by the bank holiday league match away to Dunston. Dunston scored two goals in each half, with a clinical performance.
Manager Gareth Young gave his thoughts on the defeat.
“Yesterday’s result wasn’t the one we wanted, but we knew coming into the game that a trip to Dunston was always going to be a tough test. They’re one of the favourites to win the league and, in my opinion, if they don’t finish in the top two or three come the end of the season, it will be a disappointing campaign for them.
Of course, we’re disappointed with the result, but it’s important that we keep things in perspective. I’ve got complete faith in the group we’ve got in that dressing room. They’re a tight-knit bunch, they work hard for each other, and they’re determined to put things right.
We’ve shown positive signs in the opening part of the season and there’s plenty for us to build on. The players are fully committed, and I’ve got every confidence that we’ll continue to improve, grow stronger as a team, and turn performances into the results we’re looking for. We’ll stick together, keep working hard, and make sure we’re ready to go again this week.”
MOTM: Ben Dale // Attendance: 545
– Phil Dodds
