Why should I watch..?
1874 Northwich will hope to build on a midweek win against Maine Road by beating table-toppers Atherton Collieries.
The teams are separated by 15 points at kick off, but started the campaign with similar ambitions.
However a narrow 1-0 defeat for tomorrow’s hosts in the return game stalled their challenge, and proved to be the beginning of the end for manager Ian Street – who stood down the following month.
Paul Bowyer, his number two, and first-team coach Wayne Goodison have been in interim charge since.
Together they have lost only one of their six games at the helm, although Saturday will be their biggest test.
Numbers game
1874 Northwich have lost their past three meetings with Atherton Collieries, including on two previous occasions this season.
They have yet to beat their rivals in Winsford.
Colls arrive in town as favourites to be promoted as champions after winning five of their past six Premier Division fixtures.
Man to keep an eye on
Jordan Bove
Bowyer and Goodison have put their faith in the striker by handing him a start in the past two games.
He also scored during a cameo as a substitute when holders 1874 brushed aside Witton Albion in the Mid-Cheshire District FA Cup semi-finals last month – the duo’s first match in charge.
A meeting with Colls, the champions-elect, provides the 21-year-old with an opportunity to shine.
1874 team news
Captain Mark Jones (ankle) will again be missing from the hosts’ midfield, while wide-man Tyler Edwards (groin) is not yet ready to return either.
Danny Thomas (eye) and Ryan Jackson (knee) are long-term injury absentees.
Most recent meetings
Colls 1-0 1874 (NWCFL Premier Division, February 18 2017)
1874 0-3 Colls (FA Vase Second Round, November 12 2016)
1874 1-3 Colls (NWCFL Premier Division, December 5 2015)
1874 v @ACFC1916 H2H:
— 1874 STAT (@1874stat) April 14, 2017
P6 W2 D1 L3 F6 A9 Diff-3 Win%33
Last time at home: 0-3 loss.
Never beaten Colls at home.
Form (past six league games)
1874 W D D L W L
Colls W W W L W W
Standings
1874 Pos5 P37 W22 D7 L8 F71 A44 Pts73
Colls Pos1 P37 W28 D4 L5 F92 A35 Pts88
Essential information
Address St Luke’s Barton Stadium, Wharton Road, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 3AE
Kick off 3pm
Admission Adults £6, Concessions (OAP/NUS) £4, Under 12s Free
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