Witton’s home date with Brighouse is arguably one of the ties of the FA Trophy preliminary round this weekend.

The hosts sit fourth in the Northern Premier League’s Division One South after winning six of their first eight games, while their guests on Saturday occupy top spot in the northern section after a stunning start to the campaign.

Albion appear to have put behind them a blip – as assistant manager Gary Martindale referred to it this week – of losing unexpectedly at Carlton.

Meanwhile Brighouse make the trip pepped by a five-goal hammering of Garforth Town in the West Riding FA Senior Cup on Tuesday night.

Numbers game

Witton are unbeaten on home turf this season in all competitions, winning four of their five matches at Wincham Park.

They were also comfortable victors in both league meetings with Brighouse last term, scoring nine times in the two fixtures.

Town arrive in Northwich feeling confident though; they’ve lost only once in 11 competitive games since a 4-2 defeat at Ossett Town on August 16.

Man to keep an eye on

Paul Williams

The midfielder stamped his authority all over last weekend’s home success against Basford, who arrived in town buoyed by winning four of their previous five matches.

Now recovered from a groin injury that ruled him out for a month, his partnership with Billy Reeves at the heart of Witton’s midfield has been a feature of Carl Macauley’s side’s recent performances.

Remember when…

Front man Rob Hopley scored twice for Witton on his debut last season – a 5-1 thrashing at Brighouse in the Northern Premier League’s Division OneNorth.

It inflicted a first home defeat on the West Yorkshire outfit since the campaign’s opening month.

Match report: Brighouse 1-5 Witton

Form (past six in all competitions)

Witton W W L L D D

Brighouse W D W W W W

Essential information

Kick off 3pm

Admission Adults £9, Concessions (OAP) £6, Students £4, Under 15s Free

Replay date Monday, October 10 (7.45pm)

Prize fund £2,500