Why should I watch..?

To see which of these clubs can reach the FA Vase fourth round for the first time in their history.

1874 Northwich are hoping to extend a winning run in all competitions to seven matches, something they haven’t done now in more than three years.

Their record against Ashton is mixed though, and they have lost three of the teams’ seven previous meetings, winning two.

The visitors won all seven of their matches in October, although their results have been more mixed since.

A 1-0 win against Morpeth Town in the previous round is proof of their ability to deliver in a big game though.

What they’ve said

“I think its 50-50 who gets through.

“Ashton have a bit about them up top, and so we have to be right defensively.

“They share some characteristics with us in that they play with lots of energy and are capable of scoring plenty of goals.”

Wayne Goodison, 1874 Northwich co-manager

“When the draw was made, our preference was to be at home and not to face a side from our league. We got neither.

“1874 Northwich start as favourites, but if we’re on top of our game then we have every chance of making progress.”

Jay Foulds, Ashton Athletic co-manager

Numbers game

1874 Northwich are about to play their 16th cup tie of the campaign to date. They have lost only one of them, and that was on penalties

Man to keep an eye on

Jack Pritchard

He may be relieved that Dale Korie-Butler is unavailable through suspension but Joel Brownhill, a likely stand-in, is a capable replacement.

The Warrington-based attacker scored 11 goals in 15 starts earlier this term before sustaining a hamstring injury.

Now ready for a return, his head-to-head with the former Congleton defender will be one to watch.

1874 team news

Midfielder Mark Jones (ankle) will be assessed tomorrow afternoon before his involvement is decided on.

Ryan Mitchell is back after a break, while defender Danny Thomas is available for the first time since sustaining a knee injury on the season’s opening day back in August.

Winger Ryan Jackson (knee) has a returned to training, but is not yet ready for a recall while Joe Woolley (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Ashton team news

Dale Korie-Butler, leading scorer for Ashton this season with 20 goals, serves a one-match ban following his dismissal in a Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy defeat against Clitheroe last month.

However former Witton attacker Joel Brownhill is ready to return after recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since early October.

Route to this round

1874 2R bt Tow Law (h) 5-1; 1R bt Irlam (a) 4-1; 2QR (r) bt Congleton (a) 1-0; 1QR bt Vauxhall Motors (a) 5-4 (aet)

Ashton 2R bt Morpeth (h) 1-0; 1R bt Liversedge (h) 4-2; 2QR Maltby Main (h) 3-1

Form (past six in all competitions)

1874 W W W W W W

Ashton W L W L W W

Most recent meetings

Ashton 3-2 1874 (NWCL Premier Division, March 28 2017)

1874 1-0 Ashton (NWCFL Premier Division, January 7 2017)

1874 3-1 Ashton (NWCFL Premier Division, April 5 2016)

Essential information

When Saturday, December 2

Kick- off 3pm

Address St Luke’s Barton Stadium, Kingsway, Winsford CW7 3AE

Admission Adults £6, Concessions (NUS/OAP) £4, Under 16s Free

Replay date December 5 (kick-off 7.45pm)

Prize money Winners £1,125; Losers £375