Why should I watch..?

To see if Witton can pass another test in an ongoing examination of their credentials for a promotion play-offs place.

Albion make a short trip to Manchester as the Northern Premier League top-flight’s form team; they are unbeaten in their past nine games and have lost only one of the past 12.

It has propelled them to seventh in the table, and enter the weekend four points adrift of their third-placed hosts.

The visitors’ form away from Wincham Park is similarly encouraging; they have avoided defeat on their past seven road-trips, a sequence that started early in November.

Ashton have lost two of their past three league games, including a 1-0 reverse at Buxton on Thursday.

Their form in front of their own supporters is encouraging though; a slip-up against Coalville last time out ended a 10-match run without losing.

What they’ve said

“It’s a tough league, and every game is a hard one.

“We’ve got to do our job first, and then have a look at the league table afterwards. We’ll just try to keep on winning.”

Jody Banim, Ashton United manager

“Every game feels significant for us now, we sense that.

“However the important thing is we’re enjoying the run we’re on and can’t wait for the next game.

“That’s a nice feeling when results are going your way – you want to play all the time.

“Ashton will pay us the respect we deserve, and I expect them to test us.”

Carl Macauley, Witton Albion manager

Numbers game

Witton are unbeaten in their past nine Northern Premier League Premier Division fixtures, their best sequence of the season

Witton team news

Will Jones is available again after completing a three-match suspension, while Carl Macauley reports he is optimistic Owen Dale (groin) should return too after sitting out Tuesday’s win over Stourbridge.

Albion confirmed on Thursday night that defender Anthony Brown will stay with City of Liverpool, from the North West Counties League’s top-flight, on loan until the end of the season.

Man to keep an eye on

Danny McKenna

It will be fascinating to see where Carl Macauley stations the 20-year-old, who filled in on the right-hand side of midfield for Owen Dale during a midweek win against Stourbridge.

He was able to still pose a threat though, particularly when cutting inside to arc an inswinging cross towards Rob Hopley in the penalty area.

Anthony Gardner impressed on his return at full-back, where the former Runcorn Linnets man has been playing, and the manager has a dilemma to solve if Dale is passed fit.

Form guide (past six in league)

Ashton L W L W D D

Witton W W W W D W

Most recent meetings

Witton 1-1 Ashton (NPL Premier Division, January 13 2018)

Ashton Utd 2-1 Witton (NPL Premier, April 21 2015)

Witton 5-2 Ashton Utd (NPL Premier, November 22 2014)

Remember when…?

Witton injected momentum into a previous attempt to reach the promotion play-offs when they visited Hurst Cross in March 2013?

Theirs was a convincing victory over an Ashton side also with their sights set on a top-five finish.

There was some fortune too – Craig Robinson’s deflection helped the ball into his own net on two occasions – but Josh Hancock’s strike to make it 2-0 was one to savour.

Albion’s intensity was too much for the hosts, who were repeatedly forced into errors while in possession.

The Guardian was there, and this is how we saw it: Ashton 1-3 Witton: match report

Essential information

When Saturday, March 24

Kick-off 3pm

Address Hurst Cross, Surrey Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester OL6 8DY

Admission Adults £10, Concessions £6 Accompanied under 14s Free

Parking None at the ground, but on-street spaces are available nearby. There is a small car park behind the Rowley Street End