1874 NORTHWICH say they will host a knockout match in a nearby town next weekend instead of at Barton Stadium.

Their North West Counties League Challenge Cup last 16 encounter with Division One rivals Formby will take place at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes on Saturday, kick off 2pm.

League officials, and their opponents, have agreed to the switch.

“Given the unprecedented weather over the past two months we’ve decided to move our next game,” said chairman Paul Stockton in a statement.

“By doing so, it guarantees a game for the players and a chance for our supporters to see their team play at ‘home’ in a venue that is a reasonable distance from Northwich.”

Ian Street’s men, fourth in the table, have not played a league match since the turn of the year, enduring four successive postponements.

Curiously their previous match in Division One was at Widnes, when they ran out 3-0 victors.