Why should I watch..?
To see if 1874 Northwich can continue what is now their best run of results this season.
A 5-1 thrashing of Tow Law Town in midweek is a fifth successive win in league and cup, and clinched a third-round date with Ashton Athletic next month.
A meeting with West Didsbury & Chorlton provides an opportunity to improve their position in the North West Counties League table; they sit 18th, but have completed only 10 fixtures.
The visitors are on a wretched run, losing seven of their past eight games.
They have shipped 28 goals in that time, including four against Barnton – who had failed to win any of their previous 18 Premier Division matches, in a 4-1 defeat on Tuesday.
What they’ve said
“We’re feeling confident, and will take on anybody right no.
“Everybody is pulling together, and for the first time [co-manager] Wayne [Goodison] and I are having some difficult conversations about who we should leave out.”
“There’s a sense we have the potential within the squad to keep this run going.”
Paul Bowyer, 1874 Northwich co-manager
Numbers game
Out-of-sorts West, who have never beaten Northwich, have conceded 22 goals during a sequence of five defeats in league and cup – an average of more than four goals a game
Man to keep an eye on
Taylor Kennerley
The teenager was arguably 1874’s outstanding performer during a midweek hammering of Tow Law in the FA Vase second round.
His contribution to Scott McGowan’s opener, an incisive pass in a counter-attack, is proof he is adding an end-product to a game already blessed with impressive speed and dribbling ability.
1874 team news
Full-back Paul Connor is available again after completing a suspension.
The hosts will check on Adam Whitlock (ankle) after he limped off during the second-half of Tuesday’s game.
Jack Lever (knee) is not ready to return, while Ryan Jackson, Danny Thomas and Joe Woolley (all knee) are long-term injury absentees.
Form guide (past six in league)
1874 W W L D D L
West L L L L L W
Most recent meetings
West 1-3 1874 (FA Cup PR replay, August 22 2017)
1874 3-3 West (FA Cup PR, August 19 2017)
West 0-1 1874 (NWCFL Premier Division, October 15 2016)
1874 v @WD_CFC 🏁 H-2-H:
— 1874 STAT (@1874stat) November 17, 2017
P9 W8 D1 L0 F24 A9 Diff+15 Win%89
Last time at home: 3-3 draw (Aug '17)
Highest attendance: 350 (Aug '15)
Most goals: Mike Brandon (5)
Familiar faces
Tom Bailey’s goal-scoring exploits for West this season – he has 18 to his name already – won’t surprise anybody that follows 1874 Northwich.
After all, the front man netted 31 times in total for them last term.
Kevin McGrath only had a brief spell at St Luke’s Barton Stadium, but has been a regular in central defence for Steve Settle’s side.
Meanwhile full-back Ben Woods, now at 1874, is hoping to feature against his former club.
Essential information
When Saturday, November 18
Kick-off 3pm
Address Barton Stadium, Kingsway, Winsford CW7 3AE
Admission Adults £6, Concessions (OAP/Students) £4, Under 16s Free
Parking Free at the ground
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