Why should I watch..?
To see if Witton Albion can pick up in February where they left off last month after collecting seven points from three Premier Division matches.
Carl Macauley’s men enter the weekend four points adrift of a promotion play-offs position, and buoyed by beating table-toppers Altrincham on their previous away trip.
However Grantham have won the past three league meetings between the teams, including a 3-2 success in Northwich earlier this term.
Adam Stevens’ in-form side thrashed Stourbridge last weekend, and have lost only one of their past 14 matches in the Northern Premier League’s top-flight.
Expect goals; Grantham haven’t shut out an opponent since November 18, while Witton’s most recent clean-sheet was 10 games ago.
What they’ve said
“We’ll need to keep a close eye on their front two, and make sure we shackle them as best we can.
“My players know they can go toe-to-toe with sides like Grantham – we’re more than capable of matching them.
“There are things to learn from the first meeting, particularly on a couple of the goals we conceded which I was disappointed with.
“We’ve improved since.”
Carl Macauley, Witton Albion manager
Numbers game
Witton are unbeaten in their past six matches away from Wincham Park in all competitions – their best run of away results this season
Witton team news
Nick Ryan (fractured jaw) is still ruled out although manager Carl Macauley is hopeful the central defender, who has missed the past five matches, can return to full contact in training again from next week.
Man to keep an eye on
Michael Wilson
The defender’s form has been encouraging since his return to the side, and that improvement will be tested tomorrow by one of the Northern Premier League’s most formidable attacking tandems.
Lee Shaw is the Premier Division’s leading goal-scorer, while Jordan Hempenstall scored twice for Grantham in a 3-2 win at Wincham Park earlier this season.
Form guide (past six in league)
Grantham W D D W W D
Witton W D W D L W
Most recent meetings
Witton 2-3 Grantham (NPL Premier Division, December 2 2017) Report
Grantham 3-1 Witton (NPL Premier Division, February 7 2015)
Witton 1-3 Grantham (NPL Premier Division, October 25, 2014) Report
Odds (bet365)
Grantham 4/5
Draw 3/1
Witton 9/4
Essential information
When Saturday, February 3
Kick-off 3pm
Address South Kesteven Sports Stadium, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 7XQ
Admission Adults £10, Concessions £6, Under 16s £3
Parking Available for free at the ground
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