Witton host neighbours Chester in their biggest knockout tie since a fourth qualifying round clash with Barrow five years ago.

They were ranked three levels below their guests on that occasion, as they are this weekend, and led 1-0 before Josh Hancock’s second-half dismissal changed the course of the game.

Carl Macauley’s men are in fine form, scoring 13 times in their past three matches.

The most recent of those, a 4-2 win at home to Boston United in midweek, has earned them a spot in the FA Trophy first round.

Blues, currently eighth in the National League, make the short trip in confident mood after performing impressively on their travels at Tranmere and Eastleigh in the past few weeks.

Numbers game

Witton haven’t played a first-round tie in the FA Trophy since a 3-1 defeat of Woodley Sports in 2006.

A run of four victories in this season’s edition has earned Albion £12,450 in prize money.

Chester have lost only one of their past nine games, and that was against National League title-hopeful Lincoln in October.

Man to keep an eye on

Tom Owens

If Brad Bauress is Witton’s most in-form player at the moment, then fellow midfielder Tom Owens is a close second.

The ex-Marine man put in his most impressive performance since signing for the club in a 4-2 win against Boston United in midweek, scoring twice.

However his contribution without the ball was equally telling, darting forward to support front pair Rob Hopley and Tolani Omotola or harassing opposition players into making a mistake while in possession with his enthusiastic pressing.

Witton team news

A clash with National League opponents has come too soon for midfield lynchpin Paul Williams (knee) and front man Steve Tames (ankle).

However captain Anthony Gardner hopes to be included in the squad after recovering from an ankle injury.

Teenage midfielder Ronan Eves is again on duty with Cheshire FA in an FA County Youth Cup clash with Suffolk at Vauxhall Motors.

Remember when…

Chester scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner on their previous visit to Wincham Park?

Goals from Michael Wilde and Bradley Barnes put Blues firmly in control during a Northern Premier League Division One North encounter in October 2010.

However Witton stirred, drawing level when Dave MacPherson and Ashley Stott found the net in added time.

Their guests were not to be denied though, and George Horan’s thumping header secure maximum points in the 94th minute.

Here’s how we reported it: http://bit.ly/2hd3UWM

Route to this round

Witton 3QR bt Boston (h) 4-2; 2QR bt Kettering (h) 2-1; 1QR bt Colwyn Bay (h) 3-1 (replay); PR bt Brighouse (h) 5-2

Chester Exempt to this stage

Form (past six in all competitions)

Witton W W W L W W

Chester D W W D D D

Essential information

Kick off 3pm

Admission Adults £9, Concessions (OAP) £6, Students £4, Under 15s Free

Replay date Tuesday, December 13 (7.45pm)

Prize fund £5,000