September 2026 Recap
West Auckland Town 1-2 Morpeth Town [NPL Division One East] 04/09/2026
Morpeth Town were the visitors for some Friday night football, a team we faced in the league only a few weeks prior when Morpeth ran out 2-0 winners at Craik Park. Morpeth took the lead after quarter of the hour, and were the strongest side for the first 45 minutes. West came out stronger in the second half, and got a deserved equaliser when Charlie Smith fired in from 20 yards. West looked to have secured a point, but Morpeth scored a winner in the 96th minute. A disappointing ending, but positive second half performance.
MOTM: Ben Dale // Attendance: 235
West Auckland Town 0-0 Ossett United [NPL Division One East] 08/09/2026
Ossett Town made the journey to West Auckland for our midweek NPL East match. The first half was evenly matched, with chances for both teams. Ossett found themselves a man down after an hour when William Thompson was sent off after a nasty challenge on Ben Dale. Unfortunately, West couldn’t find a breakthrough. After multiple chances in front of goal, Ossett held strong, and had a goal ruled out in the last few minutes. Another point on the board for West.
MOTM: Adam Mitchell // Attendance: 261
Bridlington Town 3-0 West Auckland Town [NPL Division One East] 15/09/2026
A night to forget for West. Bridlington dominated possession for large periods of this match, and West were second best on the night.
Two first half goals from Ahmed Salam and Casey Stewart gave the home team a 2-0 lead going into the break. West goalkeeper Steven Bessent made some superb saves despite the scoreline, keeping West within fighting chance.
The second half was a similar story to the first. Bridlington got a deserved third goal after 62 minutes through Salam.
Despite the result, Bessent was a stand out for West with an impressive display in goal.
MOTM: Stephen Bessent // Attendance: 222
West Auckland Town 3-1 Heaton Stannington [NPL Division One East] 22/09/2026
West welcomed Heaton Stannington on Tuesday evening, which was a repeat of the 2023/24 Northern League Division One Playoff Final. Heaton won that day 3-0 in front of a crowd of 2107.
West were looking to bounce back from last week’s 3-0 defeat away to Bridlington Town. Heaton arrived in good form, with 12 points from 8 games.
It was the home team who broke the deadlock after a fairly even opening 20 minutes. James Harrison broke away down the left wing and his cross found Cobi Jones at the back post. The lead didn’t last too long. Heaton’s Sado Djalo scored a looping header 4 minutes later, a little fortunate after it rebounded off the bar and hit West goalkeeper Steven Bessent. Both teams headed into halftime level.
Fin O’Gorman had a great chance for West to take the lead, hitting the side netting from a tight angle. The home side did get a deserved second goal on 52 minutes, and in some style. Cobi Jones picked the ball up around 20 yards out, and hit a wonderful strike that nestled into the net. 2-1 West.
Whilst the game remained competitive, Fin O’Gorman capitalised on a Heaton error and raced towards goal, getting his third league goal of the season.
MOTM: Oscar Eckley-Aldsworth// Attendance: 280
Stocksbridge Park Steels 0-3 West Auckland Town [NPL Division One East] 26/09/2026
West headed to South Yorkshire on Saturday, for a first ever encounter with Stocksbridge Park Steels.
West went into the game with confidence after a midweek 3-1 victory at home against Heaton Stannington. That showed in the opening stages of the game. The away side took the lead after 12 minutes when Liam Hegarty hit an unstoppable shot from 20 yards out. A great start for West. West continued to dominate the game, and should have been more comfortable going into halftime. The lead was soon increased. Adam Mitchell played a ball over the Stockbridge defence which landed at the feet of Cobi Jones. Jones managed to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle to make it 0-2 only two minutes into the second half.
The game continued in the same vain as the first, with West in control and managing the game. It wasn’t until 20 minutes later until the next goal. Luke Bailey’s strike hit a Stockbridge defender and found the back of the net. A very impressive display from the away side, and another valuable three points on the board.
MOTM: Charlie Smith // Attendance: 313
West Auckland Town 3-2 Ashington [NPL Division One East] 29/09/2026
West went into this match on the back of two league wins. A 3-1 home victory against Heaton Stannington was followed by three points against Stocksbridge Park Steels, that match finished 2-3 in South Yorkshire.
The match started frantically, with three goals in the opening four minutes. James Harrison scored West’s first after only 12 seconds, a great start for the home side. West increased the league only three minutes later. Fin O’Gorman doubled the lead with his fourth league goal of the season. The lead was cut short only seconds later; Ashington scored to complete an incredible opening five minutes.
O’Gorman had three opportunities to continue his goalscoring streak, but the Ashington goalkeeper managed to prevent that from happening with some great saves.
Charlie Smith saw an effort go wide after half an hour, and Cobi Jones’ acrobatic effort was again saved by Ashington goalkeeper Matty Alexander, who was keeping the away team in the game.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first. James Harrison raced on to a ball over the top of the Ashington defence but couldn’t replicate his goal in the first half.
Ashington were stronger in the second half, and they were eventually rewarded with an equaliser. Liam Henderson scored in the 79th minute with the game looking to be a draw.
Up stepped Wayne Whitfield. Wayne’s incredible footwork around the five-yard box saw him pass a couple Ashington defenders and find the back of the net.
It was a nervy additional five minutes for West, but they remained in control and came away with their third win in a row. The three points saw West move up to 10th in the league table.
MOTM: Fin O’Gorman // Attendance: 191
-Phil Dodds
