WHEN Witton have played Buxton in the FA Cup, it’s always ended the same way– with Albion going through.

And that’s happened five times.

On each occasion the sides have met as rivals from the same division.

Carl Macauley’s side attempt to protect that unblemished record as underdogs when the clubs clash in the first qualifying round at Wincham Park on Saturday.

Following their relegation from the Northern Premier League’s top flight in 2015, they play now at a level below the Bucks.

After a perfect start to the season, during which Witton have won four successive matches in Division One South, they have taken a first step towards a return to the Premier Division.

If they look that way, they’ll see Buxton perched at the top of the table after collecting maximum points from five of their six fixtures to date.

Not that Albion are intimidated.

“We’ll respect them, but we’re not frightened,” said Macauley.

“They’ll know we’ve got guys that can hurt them – our forwards are on fire at the moment – and we don’t feel any pressure as the side from a lower division.

“I’ll ask my lads to perform as they have doing, with a mind-set of wanting to get through another round.

“They believe in themselves, something they proved against Market Drayton [on Monday].”

Witton trailed for the first time during the current campaign when Aiden Haughton put the visitors ahead in Northwich.

However their recovery, started by Brad Bauress converting a penalty, proved to Macauley his new-look side can handle adversity.

He added: “The beauty of this group is it has great character and spirit already.

“They’ll keep pushing and knocking on a door until it opens.”

They may have to do exactly that against visitors who have shut-out their opponents in four of their half-dozen games so far.

Buxton only kept eight clean sheets in the whole of last season.

Albion’s ‘on fire’ forwards, Rob Hopley and Tolani Omotola, have contributed seven of Witton’s 13 goals.

It wasn’t Macauey’s intention to pair them, but an injury to Cameron Dalton at Stamford on the opening day prompted him to promote Omotola – a teenage striker on loan from Tranmere – to the starting line-up.

“Tol’s a handful – strong and dangerous,” said the former Marine boss.

“He has a lot to learn, but he’s in the right place to do that at Tranmere with [manager] Gary Brabin.

“He’s come to us and is enjoying himself.”

He’ll be happier still if Witton can extend their winning run against Buxton tomorrow afternoon.

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