Why should I watch..?
Witton are unbeaten on their travels in the Northern Premier League to date this season, something that should give them heart ahead of trips to Stafford, Halesowen and then Coalville over the next seven days.
A 1-0 win at Barwell last time out was their first on the road since returning to the top-flight.
Stafford have struggled in front of their own supporters, losing two of their three Premier Division fixtures – that includes a 1-0 defeat against neighbours Hednesford Town on August Bank Holiday Monday.
Former Witton midfielder Jack Sherratt rescued a point for Rangers when he scored an equaliser away to Halesowen in midweek.
What they’ve said
"We’ve got to get it right at home.
“We’re not making the most of the three in the middle of the park and we’re not getting enough out of the two wide players either side of Dan Westwood up front.
“We’ve either got to change the system or do some work on the training ground.”
Neil Kitching, Stafford manager
“I felt we controlled the game [against Marine] on Tuesday night for long spells, and our goalkeeper Calvin [Hare] didn’t have much to so.
“We missed chances as well, but overall I was happy with our performance after back-to-back defeats against two very good sides.”
Carl Macauley, Witton Albion manager
Numbers game
Witton have won only once in a league encounter with Stafford Rangers at Marston Road, and that was on this week in 1984
Witton team news
Full-back Anthony Gardner returns to the Witton Albion squad after recovering from an ankle injury sustained during last weekend’s FA Cup exit against South Shields.
Michael Wilson (rib) is a doubt, while Alex Newby will start a loan spell at Northern Premier League First Division North side Clitheroe this weekend.
Remember when…?
Witton most recently visited Marston Road for a Northern Premier League encounter?
Brian Pritchard’s side arrived six points from a position of safety and without an away win in the previous five months.
That record looked unlikely to improve after goals from Dan Cope and Alex Curtis, both after defensive aberrations, cancelled out Michael Powell’s early opener for the visitors
However Danny Andrews swooped to pinch a point with five minutes left when he was first to a rebound after Boro goalkeeper Jon Brain parried Powell’s shot.
The Guardian was there. Click here to read how we reported it.
Form guide (league)
Stafford D L D W L W
Witton D L W D W W
Most recent meetings
Stafford 2-2 Witton (NPL Premier Division, March 8 2014)
Witton 5-0 Stafford (NPL Premier Division, October 26 2013)
Witton 3-1 Stafford (NPL Premier Division, March 30 2013)
Odds
Stafford 6/5
Draw 5/2
Witton 7/4
Essential information
When Saturday, September 9
Kick off 3pm
Address Marston Road, Stafford ST16 3BX
Admission Adults £10, Concessions £7 (OAP/NUS/Armed Forces), Under 16s £1
Parking Free at the ground, plus on-street parking on industrial estate opposite
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