Last season’s position: Seventh

Carl Macauley predicted last summer that his side was capable of finishing inside the top eight, and they duly delivered.

Witton were contenders, even if they were outsiders, to sneak into a promotion play-offs position until April when a 1-1 draw at Farsley – in a game they dominated from start to finish – halted their momentum.

It will be a test to match that feat given the strength of the promoted teams, but the experience gathered by players that had precious little of it at step three previously will be invaluable.

The manager’s resourcefulness to find a formula that fills a hole left by losing striker Steve Tames will be tested.

Story of the summer

The departure of Steve Tames, last season’s leading goal-scorer, to Bala Town has left Carl Macauley with a headache.

A search for his replacement is ongoing, and in the meantime the Albion boss has spent the summer examining formations that make the best use of the players he has at his disposal.

That may, initially at least, see a return to a more conservative version of Witton that was so difficult to beat during the early stages of last term.

If they can recruit a forward, then the strength of their other signings make them candidates for a play-offs place.

New recruits

Delial Brewster FOR (free agent); Greg Hall GK (from 1874 Northwich); Chris Noone (free agent); Billy Smart MID (from Marine); Josh Wardle DEF (from Skelmersdale); James Yates DEF (from Hull City)

Pre-season quote

“I expect our challenge to be even tougher than it was last season given who has been promoted from the level below and the resources they have to strengthen their sides.

“We will use that as motivation though, and I hope the players are as excited as I am about testing themselves against those teams.”

Carl Macauley (Manager)

How is August looking?

Aug 18, South Shields (a); Aug 21, Hyde United (h); Aug 25, Whitby Town (a); Aug 27, Nantwich Town (h)

Management team’s main challenge

For now, finding a way to replace Steve Tames’ goals.

Rob Hopley and Will Jones both contributed double-digit totals last season, but the now-departed striker led the way with more than 30 in all competitions.

Carl Macauley hasn’t yet been able to recruit a direct replacement, and so he will ask others to weigh in to help make up the shortfall.

The bulk of that responsibility will be shared between midfield trio James Foley, Tom Owens and newcomer Billy Smart.

There will also be refocus on width – Albion often played a narrow 4-3-3 last season – to exploit the strength in depth they have with attacking full-backs Anthony Gardner, James Yates, Matty Devine and Danny McKenna.

Last season’s results: W19 D13 L14

First name on the team-sheet

James Foley

The midfielder was the only Witton player to take part in every Northern Premier League fixture last season, starting all but two of them.

His versatility quickly made him indispensable to Carl Macauley, and he remained consistent in every role.

The arrival of Billy Smart, who like Foley 12 months earlier has moved to Wincham Park from Marine, may release the 24-year-old to play in a more advanced role this term.

No longer with them

Anthony Brown DEF (to Trafford); Micah Evans MID; Calvin Hare GK; Prince Haywood MID (to Radcliffe); Ryan Neild GK (to Northwich Victoria); Steve Tames FOR (to Bala); Paul Williams MID (to Trafford)

Past five seasons: Seventh (NPL Premier Division); Second (promoted from NPL Division One South); 11th(NPL Division One North); 22nd(from NPL Premier Division); 16th (NPL Premier Division)

Pre-season results

Jul 17, Southport (h) 0-3; Jul 21, Vauxhall Motors (a) 2-2; Jul 24, Northwich Victoria (h) 1-2; Jul 28, City of Liverpool (h) 2-1; Jul 31, Curzon Ashton (h) 2-1; Aug 04, Runcorn Linnets (a) 3-0; Aug 07, Atherton Colls (a) 1-1; Aug 11, Droylsden (a) 1-2