Why should I watch..?

Two of the Premier Division’s form teams meet at Barnton, where Vics are attempting to win a fifth successive game.

It’s a sequence that has propelled them towards the table’s top-half, and they could rise as high as seventh with a victory if results elsewhere are favourable.

Manager Steve Wilkes faces a club he used to manage for the first time since an acrimonious departure in August and three of his players – goalkeeper Mike Donlon, midfielder Sam Fitton and in-form attacker Jay Hart – have represented the Storks earlier this season.

The visitors arrive in town buoyed by collecting 11 points from six games last month.

The last of those was earned in extraordinary circumstances last weekend when they scored twice in added time to recover from 3-1 down against Widnes.

What they’ve said

“I’m desperate to win, of course I am.

“However what’s even more important is we continue this winning run that we’ve put together in the past couple of weeks.

“We let our standards slip in the first half on Wednesday, and we can’t afford to do that again this weekend.”

Steve Wilkes, Northwich Victoria manager

“It’s just another game for us; there has never been a rivalry previously between Northwich and Padiham, and we won’t be buying into anything of that nature.

“There’s no derby feel to this fixture, and none of my players will be eaten up by it.”

Liam Smith, Padiham co-manager

Numbers game

Vics have won their past four league games, the first time they have enjoyed such a sequence since April 2016

Man to keep an eye on

Jay Hart

Has made an instant impact at Northwich since switching from tomorrow’s opponents, scoring four goals in his first three games.

The attacker is proving to be a perfect foil for Brian Matthews and Oscar Durnin in a new-look front three, and capped another impressive individual performance with a stunning strike against AFC Liverpool on Wednesday.

Vics team news

Allen Weston (ankle) gritted his teeth to come through a meeting with former club AFC Liverpool in midweek and will be fit to play.

Yaw Gyimah is unavailable, but fellow attacker Olly Walker returns to the squad after recovering from an ankle ligament injury.

Meanwhile Reece Lyndon (thigh) and Antony Shinks (knee) are both making progress with their rehabilitation.

Form guide (past six in league)

Vics W W W W L D

Padiham D W L W W D

Most recent meetings

Padiham 2-4 Vics (NWCFL Premier Division, August 12 2017)

Vics 5-1 Padiham (NPL Division One North, January 17 2015)

Padiham 0-2 Vics (NPL Division One North, October 11 2014)

Essential information

When Saturday, November 4

Kick-off 3pm

Address Townfield, Townfield Lane, Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 4LH

Admission Adults £6, Concessions (NUS/OAP) £4, Under 16s £2, Accompanied under 12s Free

Parking Strictly limited at the ground. Northwich Victoria advise spectators to use available spaces at Barnton Library and Barnton Primary School, both located on Townfield Lane.