The 2024/25 Northern Premier League West season gets under way on Saturday as Widnes host Kidsgrove Athletic in a 3:00pm kick-off at the DCBL Stadium!

Widnes kick-off with a home curtain-raiser for the first time in four seasons against a Kidsgrove side under new management.

Michael Ellison's team will be in buoyant mood having come through a character-building victory away at NPL East side Ossett United in the Emirates FA Cup last week.

James Steele scored the only goal 16 minutes from time to give Widnes the perfect start to their competitive season ahead of the league opener this weekend.

Their home record is really strong too, with the Whites having only lost twice at home thus far in 2024.

One thing to note ahead of the opener... clubs can now make five substitutions from five named on the bench.

The Opposition

Opponents Kidsgrove also dispatched their FA Cup extra preliminary round opponents last time out, seeing off Hellenic League side Pershore Town with a 2-0 victory.

That result ensured a winning start for new boss Anthony Malbon who was appointed on a permanent basis in the summer after taking caretaker charge of Grove's last seven fixtures last season.

Kidsgrove endured a peculiar season last term, winning all of their first seven NPL West fixtures, collecting 22 points from their first eight games.

They would taste victory on just three further occasions, collecting just 17 points from their final 30 fixtures, finishing third from bottom.

Malbon has strengthened his squad during the off-season, recruiting veteran defender Richie Sutton and former Widnes forward Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi amongst others.

Previous Meetings

This will be the ninth competitive meeting between the two clubs, with Widnes completing the double over their Staffordshire-based counterparts last season.

Goals from Louis Isherwood and Steele completed a 2-0 victory at the DCBL Stadium in November while Steele was again on the scoresheet in April's return fixture as he netted a brace in a 3-0 win.

Matchday Information

Saturday’s clash at the DCBL Stadium is a 3:00pm kick-off. Admission is priced at £10 adults, £7 concessions and £2 under-16s.

A cash only turnstile is in operation but supporters wishing to pay by card can pre-purchase tickets in advance.

Tickets are available for purchase at the following LINK, while supporters are encouraged to have their ticket confirmation ready to be scanned before entering through the turnstiles.

Social media coverage will as always take place on our official channels – X @Widnes_FC and Instagram - @widnesfc