Defenders Scott Nicholson and James Middleton are both struggling to be fit for Friday's derby clash against Bishop Auckland.
West will be looking for revenge following last Friday's horror show where they lost 3-1 in the reverse fixture. Meanwhile Bishop followed up the West victory with an impressive 2-0 against Shildon although it could come at a cost with Paul Moss limping off towards the end.
WEST AUCKLAND 2-1 BISHOP AUCKLAND
Friday 29 February, 7:30PM, LeagueRevenge was gained in the Auckland derby as West Auckland collected all three points in a 2-1 win that was played in difficult conditions to say the least.
Horrendous weather - gale force winds and driving rain, meant the watching spectators gathered in the stands whilst the players tried to play football as much as possible.
Bishop gave the first action of the night early on with a goalmouth scramble seeing 4 attempts blocked before West could eventually clear. Few chances were coming in the first half - Bishop had the next effort with Gavin Parkin, in the 19th minute, meeting a free kick but unable to generate much power and Alan Wilkinson easily held.
The lead followed in the 24th minute for West Auckland when a clearance was blocked and the ball ran kindly to Dale Jardine who calmly slipped the ball past Peter Keen and in off the post. The next main chance saw West Auckland double the lead 9 minutes later when Brian Fairhurst powerful wind assisted free kick deceived keeper Keen and flew into the corner.
The final shot of the half saw Gavin Parkin again threaten for Bishops with a good shot from outside the area that was narrowly over.
The second half began with both sides having efforts - Parkin's difficult low shot held and Bryan Stewart's effort being saved. Luke Ball also saw an ambitious effort saved as the weather conditions improved for 15 minutes leading to an increasing in openings.
In the 63rd minute, Dale Jardine came close to his second cut back inside and curling an effort which Peter Keen pushed up in the area and just wide. Three minutes later, Jardine saw an effort deflected narrowly over as the forward caused headaches for the Bishop defenders trying to keep an eye on him.
However the visitors pulled one back with 20 minutes left - good work on the right saw Lee Foster's low shot guided home by Darren Richardson to give Bishops hope.
West responded with Bryan Stewart screwing an effort narrowly wide and in the final few minutes, Stewart cut inside his defender but saw his shot from a difficult angle parried away by Keen.
In the 86th minute, Bishop came close to an equaliser with a long ball finding Parkin who had been the visitors most likely source of an equaliser. From the edge of the box his half volley flew over Wilkinson but also over the bar. At the other end, Danny Richmond's low shot could only find the side netting.
Paul Freary came close to making the game certain for West in the final minute of normal time with a good turn and shot that the keeper was thankful to see land just wide of his goal.
1. Alan Wilkinson, 2. Brian Fairhurst, 3. Kevin Bromley, 4. James Middleton, 5. Michael Heckley (Stuart Owen 80 mins), 6. Ian Maddison, 7. Danny Richmond, 8. Danny Key, 9. Dale Jardine, 10. Paul Freary, 11. Bryan Stewart
Subs Not Used: Chris Creamer, Gary Close
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