CARL Macauley has insisted Witton Albion should not be daunted by back-to-back matches at Christmas against teams battling for the title in Division One North.

Instead his players enter head-to-heads with Warrington, on Boxing Day, and Northwich Victoria 48 hours later buoyed by a 5-1 win at Brighouse on Saturday.

“Both of them can expect a battle,” he said.

“They won’t get an easy game, and we can be confident of causing them problems too.

“I’m expecting two open contests.”

That optimism was boosted by newcomer Rob Hopley scoring twice on his debut at the weekend.

Strike partner Alex Titchiner was on target too, with Jamie Menagh and Danny Andrews offering support from wide positions.

Macauley said: “That’s as strong a front four as you’ll see at this level.

“They made a good start together [at Brighouse], and I saw lots to be encouraged by.

“Rob was a handful, while Danny looked back to his best – he was a menace.”

However it is at the other end of the field, where Ryan Ellison has arrived on loan to boost Albion’s backline, where they will be tested.

Warrington are the section’s leading scorers, with Vics placed second in that particular table.

“What we do without the ball, how we defend, will be important,” added Macauley.

“Both teams are direct and physical, and we need to deal with that.

“But we’ll worry first about Warrington. I’ve not heard conversations in the dressing room about Northwich, and that’s the way I want it.

“Our focus has to be on the next game, and putting into practice the good things we’re doing in training.”

Before then, he hopes to persuade Liverpool to allow goalkeeper Andy Firth to stay in Wincham for at least another month.

The teenager has impressed in eight starts so far.

“He’s loving his time here and we’d like that to continue,” said the Witton boss.