Why should I watch..?

To see if 1874 Northwich can start a new week on a winning note after a disappointing seven days.

An FA Vase semi-final exit against Thatcham on Saturday has been followed by defeats to City of Liverpool and Irlam either side of a draw with Abbey Hey in midweek.

They have slipped to ninth in the North West Counties League Premier Division table as a result.

However they will be greeted by in-form hosts at Potteries Park; Hanley are unbeaten in their past eight matches, winning six of those, and sit third in the standings.

However they must improve on a dreadful record against 1874 that has yielded six defeats.

What they’ve said

“Hanley are on a good run at the moment, and for that reason we can expect a difficult afternoon.

“However we go there with morale intact despite a difficult week; the lads were down following Thursday’s game, but that’s a sign of the high standards they’ve set.

“There has been energy and effort in the games since last Saturday, and we’ve played well enough to have taken more from them.”

Wayne Goodison, 1874 Northwich co-manager

Numbers game

Hanley have lost all of their previous half-dozen meetings with 1874 Northwich, and have failed to score against them in almost five hours of match-play

1874 team news

Adam Whitlock has played his last game for 1874, at least for now, and signed for Welsh Alliance side Conwy.

Matthew Russell (hip) is an injury doubt, while a flu bug that has affected the squad this week means Sam Hind, Taylor Kennerley, Jack Lever, Jack Pritchard and Danny Thomas will all be assessed on Saturday morning.

Leading goal-scorer Scott McGowan (knee) hopes to return after sitting out a 2-1 defeat against Irlam on Thursday.

Form guide (past six in league)

Hanley W W W D W D

1874 L D L W W W

Most recent meetings

1874 2-0 Hanley (NWCFL Premier Division, December 5 2017)

1874 1-0 Hanley (NWCFL Premier Division, January 17 2017)

Hanley 0-1 1874 (NWCFL Premier Division, September 17 2016)

Remember when…

1874 Northwich visited Hanley Town for the first time back in the club’s inaugural season?

Ian Street described it later as one of his favourite memories as manager.

The visitors took the lead when Sakeel Abdullah was first to a rebound after David Short’s free-kick had been parried by Hanley’s goalkeeper.

And they added to their advantage after an hour when Stuart Wellstead converted a penalty after Ryan Mitchell was tripped inside the area.

Theo Stair made it 2-1, but 1874 held firm to take maximum points despite captain Lee Jones’ dismissal for two cautions.

1874 | Conkie (GK), Mitchell, Stewart, Aston, Duckworth, Jones, Abdullah (Matthew Woolley 80), Ward, Brandon (Bailey 84), Short (Lunn 73), Wellstead Sub not used Bowyer

Essential information

When Saturday, March 31

Kick-off 3pm

Address Potteries Park, Abbey Lane, Bucknall, Stoke on Trent ST2 8AJ

Admission Adults £5, Concessions £3, Under 16s Free

Parking Available for free at the ground