Why should I watch..?

To see who comes out on top in a battle between teams enjoying a fine run of form in the North West Counties League’s top-flight.

Northwich Victoria have won six of their past seven Premier Division fixtures following a 2-1 success at West Didsbury & Chorlton on Tuesday night.

It is a sequence of results that has taken them to ninth in the table.

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

The visitors sit seventh following a 3-2 win against Burscough in midweek – their third victory in four league matches last month.

What they’ve said

“It’s been a good week, and it was a hard-fought win at West Didsbury on Tuesday.

“The lads deserve a pat on the back because they just kept doing what was asked of them despite reaching the interval 1-0 down.

“They got their reward later on with a fine victory.”

Steve Wilkes, Northwich Victoria manager

“There’s no derby feel to this fixture at all.

“There’s never been a rivalry between Padiham and Northwich and we won’t be buying in to anything of that nature. 

“We’ll be going about it like we do any other game”.

Liam Smith, Padiham co-manager

Numbers game

Northwich have scored eight goals in three home games since Steve Wilkes was appointed manager

Man to keep an eye on

Liam Bickett

Produced his best performance so far in a Northwich Victoria shirt during a midweek success at West Didsbury & Chorlton.

His composure in possession drew praise from Steve Wilkes, and the Vics boss will expect more of the same for an anticipated encounter with Padiham.

Vics team news

Sam Fitton will not feature while he continues to recover from an illness.

However full-back Jordan Grant is available again.

Defensive trio Allen Weston (fractured cheekbone), Reece Lyndon (ankle) and Anthony Shinks (knee) are all ruled out by an injury.

Form guide (past six in league)

Vics W L W W W W

Padiham W W L W D W

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, December 2

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.