Witton Albion begin a new year with a trip to Shropshire to take on Market Drayton, who they defeated at Wincham Park back in August.

Carl Macauley’s men have played only twice in the Northern Premier League since a 4-1 win at Chasetown on November 19, slipping from the top five in the Division One South table as a result.

Their away form is promising though, returning home with maximum points from three of their past four road trips.

Market Drayton have struggled at Greenfields, and only Carlton have collected fewer points in front of their own supporters this season.

However they did end 2016 on a high after winning at Romulus on Boxing Day.

Man to keep an eye on

Brad Bauress

Perhaps an obvious choice given his brilliant form, but the midfielder completed a run of scoring in every Witton game during December with a late leveller against Vics seven days ago.

The former Blackburn youth team player has 11 goals to his name since arriving in the summer following a brief spell with Colwyn Bay.

Albion team news

Full-back Matty Devine and Tolani Omotola, a striker on loan from Tranmere Rovers, are available again after sitting out a Boxing Day draw with Northwich Victoria through suspension.

However leading scorer Rob Hopley, sent off at the end of that game, begins a three-match ban.

Steven Tames (ankle) and Cameron Dalton (leg) remain on the side-lines through injury, while teenage forward James Sloane has arrived from National League North side AFC Fylde.

Most recent meetings

Witton 3-1 Market Drayton (NPL Division One South, August 29 2016)

Witton 4-2 Market Drayton (NPL Division One South, April 2 2010)

Market Drayton 2-1 Witton (NPL Division One South, August 25 2009)

Remember when…?

Witton visited Market Drayton for the first time in 2009?

Martyn Davies, now the Shropshire outfit’s player-manager, scored a spectacular winning goal with time running out to overturn a deficit established by Steve Foster’s opener.

Albion, then managed by Gary Finley, twice hit the woodwork in the second half too.

Here’s how we reported it: http://bit.ly/2iVw0XV

Form (past six in league)

Market Drayton W L L L W D

Witton D W W L W D

Essential information

Address Greenfields Sports Ground, Greenfields Lane, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 3SL

Kick off 3pm