WITTON’S players can make opposing teams start to worry about visiting Wincham Park, according to assistant manager Gary Martindale.

Albion’s unbeaten home record will be put to the test again by in-form Brighouse in the FA Trophy tomorrow, Saturday.

However Carl Macauley’s number two told the Guardian his side’s form in Northwich this season is reason to be optimistic.

He added: “We enjoy playing there – it’s as simple as that.

“The ground, that pitch and the way we play should give us an edge. That’s what Carl [Macauley] and I believe, and we try to transmit that to the players.

“They’re starting to understand that, and it’s a big plus.

“Brighouse are a decent team, and they’re flying.

"But so were Buxton when they came here in the FA Cup last month.

“We’ll worry about ourselves, and keeping our feet firmly on the ground.

“Our concern is to keep alive that bit of fire that’s burning in the belly of our lads. They’ve done that so far, and need to keep that mentality.

“If they do, then bring on Brighouse.

“I can’t comment on why Witton’s home record hasn’t been so good in recent seasons, but if we can start making sides think twice about how they approach playing here then that can only be a good thing for us.”

Brighouse lost 4-1 when the teams met last season, but they return occupying top spot in the Northern Premier League’s Division One North after winning seven of their nine matches.

They also put five goals without reply past Garforth in a county cup fixture in midweek.

However Witton are feeling good too after responding to a first league reverse of the season by winning back-to-back games against direct rivals for a promotion play-offs place.

Proof, according to Martindale, that a young side has plenty of resilience.

“Good sides react,” he said.

“This group of lads have big hearts; we know their mind-set, and we were confident they’d put things right quickly.

“We won ugly, maybe, against Basford last weekend.

“If we’re honest, then our performance wasn’t up to the standards we’ve set so far.

“In football, as in life, if you drop slightly below expectation then you’ll probably have a finger pointed at you.

“I don’t mind that though; it keeps you on your toes.”

Match preview: Witton v Brighouse