Why should I watch..?

To see how Witton measure up against the Northern Premier League Premier Division’s in-form side.

No team in the top-flight has collected as many points as Grantham in the past 10 games, a run of results that has propelled them to third in the table.

Carl Macauley’s men are feeling good too after winning their past three games in all competitions, and they’ve lost only one of the past seven matches – at Workington in the FA Trophy in late October.

Grantham arrive in Cheshire bruised by bowing out of two knockout competitions in the past week; a 4-3 reverse at home to Chorley in the FA Vase last weekend was followed by a 3-2 defeat at Matlock in the Integro League Cup on Tuesday night.

What they’ve said

“I think we’re doing alright to be eighth at this stage, more so as a newly-promoted side.

“I’d even say we’re slightly ahead of where I expected us to be and if we hadn’t have had that bad run then we could have been closer still to the play-offs places.

“As a young side, and with plenty of room for improvement, we can be optimistic.”

Rob Hopley, Witton Albion striker

"The past two games have been disappointing in terms of results so now is the time to react.

“We need to be at our absolute best, and make sure we hit the ground running early to get the three points."

Adam Stevens, Grantham Town manager

Numbers game

Grantham could be forgiven for being fond of visiting this part of Northwich; they have lost on only one of their past seven trips for a Northern Premier League fixture

Witton team news

Anthony Brown is Carl Macauley’s biggest injury concern after limping out of a midweek Integro League Cup win at Nantwich with a knee injury.

However Matty Devine continued his recovery from a hamstring complaint by completing 90 minutes for the first time since October 10.

Michael Wilson was on the field for the duration too.

Grantham team news

Luke Shaw (knee) is ruled out indefinitely after sustaining a serious injury at Stafford in October.

However manager Adam Stevens should have everybody else available including Lee Shaw, who has scored 19 goals for the Gingerbreads so far this season.

Man to keep an eye on

Steven Tames

The Albion attacker is a man with sky-high confidence after coming off the bench to net a double in a 3-2 win at Nantwich on Tuesday.

His side were 2-1 down when he was introduced, along with Rob Hopley, to their attack with half-an-hour left.

The former Stalybridge front man has 13 goals to his name this season, making him the promoted side’s leading scorer.

Form guide (past six in league)

Witton W D D L W W

Grantham W W W W D W

Most recent meetings

Grantham 3-1 Witton (NPL Premier Division, February 7 2015)

Witton 1-3 Grantham (NPL Premier Division, October 25, 2014)

Witton 2-1 Grantham (NPL Premier Division, March 29, 2014)

Remember when…?

Witton’s players wore three different shirts during a home game against Grantham back in 2012?

Referee Bob Roberts stopped the contest after quarter of an hour, claiming the two teams’ stripes – Albion red against Grantham black – confused him and his colleagues.

He ordered the hosts to change tops, something he chose not to before kick-off, which they did pitch-side to yellow ones they had worn when relegated three years earlier.

Bizarrely, Witton switched to a blue uniform during the interval, and still lost 2-0.

The Guardian was there, and this is how we saw it: Report

Odds

Witton 6/4

Draw 5/2

Grantham 13/10

Essential information

When Saturday, December 2

Kick-off 3pm

Address Wincham Park, Chapel Street, Wincham, Northwich CW9 6DA

Admission Adults £10, Concessions (OAP/Students) £7, Under 18s £3, Members of HM Armed Forces Free

Parking Free at the ground