Why should I watch..?

Northwich Victoria are desperate to end an eight-match sequence without a victory in the North West Counties League’s top-flight.

Six of those have been defeats.

Their response to a 5-1 hammering at Ashton Athletic in midweek will be fascinating, and new manager Steve Wilkes has responded by recruiting two more players in the days since.

Hosts Irlam are among the Premier Division’s form teams, losing only one of their past six league games.

They have shut out the opposition in three of their five fixtures on home turf too, and occupy a place in the table’s top 10 at kick-off.

What they’ve said

“While it will take time for a new management team to get across their ideas, there is no excuse for downing tools in the way we did during the closing stages at Ashton [in midweek].

“The players were told afterwards that their honeymoon is over, and I won’t hesitate to replace them if I see a repeat of that attitude.”

Steve Wilkes, Northwich Victoria manager

Numbers game

The visitors could include seven names recruited in the past fortnight by manager Steve Wilkes.

Goalkeeper Michael Donlon, full-back Jordan Grant, defender Allen Weston, midfielder Sam Fitton and wide man Johnny Gorman have all made their debut for Vics already.

Man to keep an eye on

Johnny Gorman

The wide man is among Steve Wilkes’ new recruits, switching from Atherton Collieries shortly after the former Padiham manager’s appointment.

It was from his cross that Ian Willis swept in an opening goal during a midweek defeat at Ashton Athletic.

Will be tasked, along with Sam Marshall, with supplying ammunition for leading scorer Brian Matthews.

Vics team news

Two more new recruits, left-back Daniel Johnson and attacker Oscar Durnin, could make their debut.

Defensive duo Antony Shinks (knee) and Reece Lyndon (thigh) are both ruled out by an injury, while attacker Olly Walker (ankle) continues to convalesce too.

Midfielder George Riley has left.

Form guide (past six in league)

Irlam W L W D D W

Vics L D L L D L

Most recent meetings

None, this is the first time they have played each other in a competitive fixture

Essential information

When Saturday, October 14

Kick-off 3pm

Address The Ambitek Stadium, Silver Street, Irlam, Manchester M44 6HR

Admission Adults £5, Concessions £3, Under 16s £1, Under 11s Free

Parking Available for free at the ground