Why should I watch..?
Oh come on. Why wouldn’t you?
Witton Albion have home advantage for their biggest match in years, and a victory will secure promotion back to the Northern Premier League’s top-flight.
They secure their place in the play-offs final with a single-goal success against AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday, while tomorrow’s opponents Spalding United needed extra time to see off Stocksbridge Park Steels in the other semi the same night.
The rivals finished second and third respectively in the Division One South standings, so it’s fitting that they should meet for the right to follow newly-crowned champions Shaw Lane into the Premier Division next season.
Numbers game
Witton finished 17 points clear of the Tulips, and collected four points from the two meetings between the teams; a 1-0 win on their travels in March was followed by a 2-2 draw at Wincham Park earlier this month.
Albion’s home record is formidable; relegated Rugby are the only team to have beaten them in a league game in front of their own supporters.
Spalding’s away form has been consistent though, and only the table’s top two teams collected more point on their travels.
Front man Bradley Wells’ 25-goal return is second only to Shaw Lane’s outstanding Gavin Allott.
Man to keep an eye on
Anthony Brown
How Witton’s best defender handles the threat posed by Wells and strike partner Leon Mettam is key to Witton’s chances.
Together with Scott Lycett, he neutralised the threat of Nabil Shariff, Rushden’s in-form front man, in relative comfort in midweek.
Wells’ height, and Spalding’s direct style, poses a different problem to the speed and incisive movement of Diamonds’ attacker though.
Witton team news
Goalkeeper Calvin Hare (side) is ruled out by an injury, so Danny Roberts will start.
Manager Carl Macauley will wait, as he did on Tuesday, until the latest possible moment to decide on influential midfielder Paul Williams’ involvement.
The former Burscough man’s back prevented him from playing against Rushden.
Ryan Hickman (ankle) was also absent.
This season’s meetings
Witton 2-2 Spalding (NPL Division One South, April 6 2017)
Spalding 0-1 Witton (NPL Division One South, March 11 2017)
Form (past six games)
Witton W W W W L W
Spalding W W W L D W
Standings
Witton Pos2 P42 W31 D6 L5 F100 A41 Pts96 (three points deducted for fielding ineligible player)
Spalding Pos3 P42 W24 D7 L11 F74 A42 Pts79
Essential information
Date Saturday, April 29 2017
Address Wincham Park, Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6DA
Kick off 3pm
Admission Adults £9, Concessions £6, Students (NUS) and under 15s £4
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