IAN Street has warned 1874 Northwich’s players they should expect a dogfight in Saturday’s FA Vase encounter with Atherton Collieries.

His side head into the weekend buoyed by a 1-0 win away to Irlam, a victory that keeps them in contention at the North West Counties League Premier Division summit.

And the manager believes they will need to show similar resilience at St Luke’s Barton Stadium against a familiar foe.

“They’ll stick it to us,” he said.

“So we need to make sure we’re as competitive as them, that’s the main thing.

“We know what they’re about, and what to expect.

“If we can win the battle, then I’m confident we have the individual quality to win the game.

“We can’t shirk from that, because without a foothold we’ll find it hard to emerge as the better team.

“The danger when you play an opponent you know so well is you can become distracted from what you’re good at by trying to make tweaks that nullify them in some way.

“It’s important we don’t fall into that trap either.”

He hopes to have Danny Thomas available again after the defender sat out Saturday’s game with a groin injury.

Midfielder Sam Hare is suspended though, while Sam Hind is unavailable.

Street is undeterred though, and told the Guardian he is excited by what wide men Joe Woolley and Ryan Jackson have added to his side since their return to the club in the past fortnight.

“They’re both a big plus for us,” he added.

“I expect them to contribute goals, but also they give us something different in the final third that we’ve been missing.

“My plan was to keep Stuart Wellstead as well because it’s so important to have that strength in depth when you’re fighting on a few fronts.

“But he wanted to sign for Runcorn Linnets, and that was the end of that.”

1874’s stinginess in defence – only Linnets have kept more clean sheets in the top flight this term – will be tested by one of the Premier Division’s most prolific attacks this weekend.

Street said: “Players have taken on a bit more responsibility back there, and they’re more focused.

“There’s less risk-taking, and it’s in their heads that they need to play well because they know I can switch Mark Jones or Matt Woolley to play there.

“Matty Russell has been great for us as well; he’s so strong defensively in a position where we’ve perhaps not had consistency in the past.”

Should the scores be level after extra time on Saturday, then a replay is scheduled for Monday.

The victors will receive £750 as a reward for reaching the third round.