Why should I watch..?

To see if Witton can halt Whitby’s winning start to a new season.

The Seasiders are one of only two teams – Farsley Celtic are the other – to have collected maximum points so far after following an opening-day success against Buxton with another when they visited North Ferriby United in midweek.

Albion are feeling optimistic too after coming from behind to draw with Hyde on Tuesday after an encouraging second-half display.

However they will face a different side to the one they edged in last season’s corresponding fixture, when Rob Hopley scored the winner on his 100th appearance for the club.

What they’ve said

“Two games, two wins and two clean-sheets is very close to dreamland.

“We can’t afford to rest on our laurels though because we know that no games in this league are easy.

“The game against Witton will be no different; we had them watched when they lost out to South Shields and they will provide us with another different test.”

Chris Hardy, Whitby Town manager

“It would have been painful to have nothing [after two games].

“Instead we’re upbeat.

“Had we not scored in the second-half [against Hyde], particularly after playing so well, then the lads would have been devastated.”

Carl Macauley, Witton Albion manager

Numbers game

Witton have lost on only one occasion in their past nine visits to play a Northern Premier League fixture at Whitby

Witton team news

Billy Smart starts a three-match ban following his dismissal late on during a 2-1 defeat at South Shields last Saturday.

Chris Noone is the most obvious alternative in his place.

Meanwhile Delial Brewster is a doubt with a slight injury.

It’s an important afternoon for…

Cesaire

The midfielder has enjoyed an impressive start to the season playing in a position in front of Witton’s defence and he faces another challenge on Saturday.

Whitby’s Dale Hopson is one of the best attacking midfielders in the Northern Premier League, and he has marked his return to the Seasiders already by scoring the winner at North Ferriby United in midweek.

How Albion handle him will impact on their chances of recording a positive result.

Form guide

Whitby W W

Witton D L

Last season’s meetings

Whitby 1-2 Witton (November 25, 2017)

Witton 1-0 Whitby (February 24, 2018)

Remember when…

Witton put six goals past Whitby on a previous visit to North Yorkshire?

Adam Warlow’s hat-trick was the highlight of a 6-1 win in October 2007, adding to five he had bagged against the same opponents at Wincham Park during the previous season.
Albion were in red-hot form before arriving in town, and extended a lead over Gateshead at the top of the Northern Premier League to eight points following this victory.

Here’s what the Guardian published afterwards: Whitby 1-6 Witton: match report

Odds (Betfred)

Whitby 13/10

Draw 13/5

Witton 6/4

Essential information

When Saturday, August 25

Kick-off 3pm

Address Turnbull Ground, Upgang Lane, Whitby YO21 3HZ

Admission Adults £10, Concessions £6, Under 18s £3, Accompanied under 16s Free

Parking Limited at the ground, and visiting supporters are advised to use Whitby Leisure Centre nearby