July & August 2025 Recap

Following the successful temporary appointment of West Reserves Manager Gareth Young in March, which saw a positive end to last season, Gareth was appointed First Team Manager on a full-term basis.

Work started to assemble the squad right away. A number of players from the 2024/25 season resigned. Josh Robertson, Oscar Eckley-Aldsworth, Liam Potter, Luke Bailey, Adam Mitchell, and Leo Robinson after a successful loan spell. Striker Alfie Steel also penned a new deal after playing the last few games on loan. 

Goalkeeper Piotr Banda and Kieran McWaters stepped up from the Reserves. 

There were a number of new key signings. Striker Matty Willshaw joined after enjoying a successful spell at Billingham Synthonia. Cieran Jackson rejoined the club after spells at both Newton Aycliffe and Crook Town. Former Crook players Craig Moody and Ben Trotter also joined. Alex White, formerly of Shildon, came in to bolster the defense, and James Hughes joined from Tow Law Town. Goalkeeper Zach Wilkinson also signed, to compete for the number one spot with Piotr.

West Auckland Town 2-2 Penrith [League] – 26/07/2025

After a solid pre-season, West started their league season at home against Penrith. Despite falling behind after 10 minutes after a goal by Penrith’s Luke Hunter, the game was closely fought between the two sides. Penrith took a further lead after the hour mark, when Conor Hammell scored to make it 0-2. West were not out though. New signing Craig Moody got on the scoresheet after 75 minutes, and Luke Bailey drew West level four minutes later. A 2-2 draw to start the season.

MOTM: Craig Moody // Attendance: 207

Newcastle Benfield 1-2 West Auckland Town [League] – 29/07/2025

Three days later, West travelled to Sam Smith’s Park to face Newcastle Benfield. It was Benfield who took the lead, James Wilson scoring after 17 minutes. West levelled before half-time, an own goal from Benfield’s Bradley Varga. In a competitive second 45 minutes, it was West who scored the decisive third, defender Alex White scoring the all important goal, and West’s first victory of the season. 

MOTM: Leo Robinson // Attendance: 137

August 2025 Recap

Garforth Town 2-3 West Auckland Town  [FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round] – 02/08/2025

West were drawn against Garforth Town, who are members of the Northern Premier League Division One East. On paper, this was a difficult draw. Against a side in the league above, and away from home. It was West who took the lead after Alfie Steel got his first of the season after 12 minutes. The lead was short lived, Garforth’s Jay Davis pulled the home side level only two minutes later. As the game approached half-time, West took the lead. Leo Robinson scored to see West go into the half in a comfortable position. It was another close, competitive game. As both teams looked to score, it was Garforth that found the net, Luke Aldrich scoring after 72 minutes to equalise. As the game drew to a close, it looked as though a replay could be heading to West Auckland. Up stepped Matty Willshaw. With two minutes remaining of normal time, Leo Robinson did well to find Willshaw a few yards out, in the middle of the goal. 3-2. West held on, sending the travelling West fans home very happy.  

MOTM: Zach Wilkinson // Attendance: 261

Horden CW 1-1 West Auckland Town [League] – 06/08/2025

The lads headed to Division One new boys Horden CW. The game was very competitive, with West producing the better chances of the first half. It wasn’t until the second that the first goal was scored. James Hughes was on hand to volley home his first goal of the season. It looked as though West would hold on. Horsen played a ball through, with Philly Angus looking to get on the end of it. He clashed with West goalkeeper Zach Wilkinson, in what seemed to be a foul on Zach. The referee played on, and Angus finished from a tight angle. The game finished 1-1, to West’s disappointment.

MOTM: Craig Moody // Attendance: 347

West Auckland Town 1-1 Guisborough Town [League] – 09/08/2025

Guisborough Town’s manager, Nathan Haslam, has put a strong-looking squad together for the 2025/26 season. West went into this game unbeaten, looking to extend that record. It was a closely fought game, with both teams looking to get the first goal. On 75 minutes, Guisborough striker Elliot Beddow broke the deadlock. West responded positively. Only five minutes later, a dangerous cross was played into the opposition’s box which was cleared off the line. Oscar Eckley-Aldsworth was on hand to smash home the equaliser. Both teams headed home with a point.

MOTM: Josh Robertson // Attendance: 202

Crook Town 0-4 West Auckland Town [League] – 13/08/2025

A crowd of 334 were on hand to watch the local derby, on a decent August night. West dominated from start to finish, scoring four goals and taken away three points. Whilst we could have had more, it was only 1-0 after 45 minutes. Ben Trotter opened the scoring after only 7 minutes. Two goals in two minutes in the second half killed the game. Cieran Jackson and Craig Moody both scoring after their former club. Alfie Steel killed the game off after 75 minutes, netting the fourth goal. 

MOTM: Oscar Eckley-Aldsworth// Attendance: 334

West Auckland Town 2-2 Bridlington Town [FA Cup Preliminary Round] – 16/08/2025

After beating Garforth Town in the previous round, West were rewarded with a home tie against Northern Premier League Division One East side Bridlington Town. It was an exciting occasion, with a great feeling around the Northern Metal Recycling Stadium. West controlled large parts of the first half, and took the lead. Leo Robinson scored to make it 1-0, after being unlucky not to have scored only a few minutes earlier. Unfortunately, the lead was a shortcut. Bridlington’s Kasper Williams scored only a minute later, sending both teams level at the break. West’s Cieran Jackson put the home side ahead on 67 minutes, after having two chances stopped by the Bridlington keeper. The away team soon found themselves a man down, goalscorer Williams bringing down Alfie Steel for a straight red. This was followed by a West red card. Luke Bailey was shown a second yellow, evening the game to 10v10. West were cruelly denied a third when Craig Moody was adjudged to have been offside. As West did well to control the remaining minutes, up popped Bridlington’s Tom Allan in the 90th minute to equalise. The referee blew their whistle, which meant a replay 3 days later.

MOTM: Josh Robertson // Attendance: 224

Bridlington Town 1-2 West Auckland Town  [FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay] – 19/08/2025

A 214-mile round trip isn’t ideal on a Tuesday evening, but FA Cup football and the potential of progression in the competition certainly makes it easier. It was West who started stronger, and the away team scored the first goal. Craig Moody raced from the half-way line to fire the opener. It was a perfect start. West defended excellently, and controlled the game well. They managed to take the one-goal advantage into the break. It wasn’t until an hour gone that Bridlington broke even. Will Annan with the goal for the home side. However, West were soon on the other end. Leo Robinson’s well worked free kick found Liam Potter free at the back post, for a simple finish and West retook the lead. Bridlington tried their best to get another equaliser, but it never came. The final whistle blew, and the West following were jubilant. It was a fantastic occasion, which saw West into the next round.  

MOTM: Liam Potter // Attendance: 482

West Auckland Town 2-3 Redcar Town  [FA Vase First Round Qualifying] – 23/08/3025

After the excitement of Tuesday evening, the lads headed into another cup competition. This time, the FA Vase First Round Qualifying. West striker Alfie Steel put us ahead early on, with only 6 minutes on the clock. West had a few chances to increase the lead, Cieran Jackson and Steel with good opportunities. The next goal didn’t arrive until the 74th minute. Redcar Town got a deserved goal, Jude Harrison the scorer. As occasionally this season, this didn’t deter West. They were soon down the other end. Craig Moody had a strike blocked, with James Hughes keeping it alive, and Leo Robinson helped West back ahead. Redcar upped their game in the remaining 10 minutes. This led to two goals. First, Jayden Robinson-Coley scored, then James Watts 3 minutes later. West’s first loss of the season.

MOTM: James Hughes // Attendance: 169

West Auckland Town 2-3 Marske United [League] – 26/08/2025

A league game sandwiched between two cup ties. Marske arrived and looked full of confidence from kick-off. It was the away team who scored first. Dan Bean with the goal. There were a further four goals in the second half. Marske increased their lead when Jay Draper scored after 62 minutes. West did manage to bring the game level after goals by Alex White on 67 minutes, and Alfie Steel on 75. It wasn’t to be, and Marske got a deserved winner, Bradley Mills getting the all-important goal on 78 minutes.

MOTM: Craig Moody // Attendance: 188

West Auckland Town 3-1 Wythenshawe FC  [FA Cup First Round Qualifying] – 30/08/2025

West were given a home draw in the First Round Qualifying of the FA Cup. We were competing against another side from a higher league. This time, Wythenshawe FC from the North West Counties League Premier Division. It was another wonderful occasion, with an exciting build up. It was West who took the lead. Craig Moody played it into Matty Willshaw, who got a quick touch and finished putting West ahead. It was Willshaw who got the second goal of the game. 51 minutes on the clock, and West were in control. It was short-lived. Henry Carne was soon on the other end, and scored a goal to make it 2-1. The home side played with a lot of confidence, and seemed comfortable. West got a deserved third goal, putting the game out of sight. 76’ After excellent work from Leo Robinson, finding Alfie Steel, who slid it past the keeper after a slight deflection. 3-1. A great afternoon in West Auckland, and on to the FA Cup Second Round Qualifying.  

MOTM: Matty Willshaw // Attendance: 261

– Phil Dodds