Pitch inspection

UPDATE: Following a morning inspection, this afternoon's game has been called off.

Why should I watch..?

To see if Northwich Victoria can follow up Wednesday’s impressive knockout success at Hanley by beating another of the North West Counties League’s high-fliers.

Steve Wilkes’ side ran out 5-3 victors in a Macron League Cup tie, recovering at the first attempt from a 4-2 reverse at Runcorn Linnets last weekend.

A partnership between Jay Hart and Brian Matthews continued to flourish in midweek, when the former increased his goal tally for the campaign to 19 with a brace.

Charnock Richard sit fourth in the Premier Division table after an impressive start to life at a higher level following their promotion last season.

Their away record is among the best in the section too, with five wins from seven games.

What they’ve said

“I know Charnock Richard well – their ground is a couple of miles from where I live – and I can tell you it’s no fluke that they’ve started the season so well.

“They have quality throughout the side, and are a physically powerful side. We have to be ready to match that or we’ll struggle.

“However they’ll have to worry about our attacking threat as well.”

Steve Wilkes, Northwich Victoria manager

Numbers game

If selected from the first minute, Brandon Barski, Matty Clarke and Kieron Kenny will increase to 12 the number of new recruits to have started a league fixture since Steve Wilkes took over as manager

Man to keep an eye on

Brandon Barski

A tall, elegant defender that has followed manager Steve Wilkes to Northwich from Padiham, he is expected to make his league debut for Vics on Saturday.

With Allen Weston ruled out indefinitely by a facial injury, Barski is likely to form a partnership with fellow new recruit Kieron Kenny at the heart of the team’s backline in the coming weeks.

Vics team news

Defender Allen Weston (fractured cheekbone) is scheduled to have surgery on a serious facial injury sustained at Runcorn Linnets last weekend, and is out indefinitely.

Reece Lyndon (ankle) and Anthony Shinks (knee) are both ruled out too.

However Matty Clarke, ineligible to play against Hanley in the Macron Cup on Wednesday, is available again.

Sam Fitton hopes to have recovered from illness to feature too.

Form guide (past six in league)

Vics L W W W W W

Charnock W W D L W W

Most recent meetings

None; Saturday marks a first competitive meeting between the teams

Essential information

When Saturday, November 25

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.