WITTON Albion had been a ‘laughing stock’ in the FA Cup – his words – before Brian Pritchard steered them to the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

That was seven years ago.

They hosted Barrow, from non-league’s top tier, at Wincham Park.

Albion’s current crop have returned to the same stage of the competition, and welcome Solihull Moors to their part of Northwich this afternoon, kick-off 3pm.

Their objective is to achieve what their predecessors almost did, and end the club’s wait to reach the first round proper.

By this stage, the 2011-2012 side – then playing in the Northern Premier League’s First Division North – had won four matches.

That sequence started by swatting aside Ossett Albion, and continued with wins against two higher-ranked opponents in the form of Marine and Altrincham.

The Robins, like the Moors this weekend, were at that time playing two levels higher.

Another parallel comes in the form of a victory against Spennymoor Town, then still a Northern League side.

That increased Witton’s prize money total to £16,500.

For proof of how much more a non-league side can earn from racking up wins in the competition, Carl Macauley’s men have enabled the club to bank £30,000 – almost twice as much – from fewer wins.

Route to this stage

2011-2012

Sep 03 PR Ossett Albion (h) 6-0

Sep 17 1QR Marine (h) 2-0

Oct 01 2QR Altrincham (a) 2-0

Oct 15 3QR Spennymoor Town (h) 3-1

2018-2019

Sep 08 1QR Bottesford Town (h) 5-0

Sep 22 2QR Spennymoor Town (h) 2-1

Oct 06 3QR FC United of Manchester (a) 2-1

Pritchard’s men led by 14-goal leading-scorer Alex Titchiner, started their fourth qualifying round clash with the Bluebirds in better form.

After 12 successive wins in league and cup, they would have equalled a club record for successive victories had they beaten the Cumbrians.

Northwich Guardian:

Here's how Witton lined up the last time they played a fourth qualifying round tie in the FA Cup when Barrow visited Wincham Park in October 2011

In contrast, Macauley’s Witton have won only one of their past seven games in the Northern Premier League and have saved their best performances so far this season for the FA Cup.

They have scored considerably fewer goals – less than half – at this stage of the season too.

However their defensive record is better than their 2011 counterparts.

If he is selected this afternoon, then Anthony Gardner is the only player that will have featured in both sides.

His role is likely to be similar though; to provide attacking width, where possible, from his starting position at full-back should the midfielder playing in front of him drift inside.

There are other similarities:

A marauding and athletic left-back? For Mathew Wood, read Matty Devine.

A diminutive and skilful left-footer cutting inside from the right? For Danny Andrews, substitute Danny McKenna.

A tall, young central defender rapidly improving with each week? For Ben Harrison, there is Josh Wardle.

There are opposites too.

Pritchard, despite repeated attempts to sign him, did not have Rob Hopley in his team.

Macauley, appointed to the position of manager three years ago this week, did pair Hopley with Titchiner – and with some success – during the first few months of his tenure.

However there is no obvious equivalent to James Foley, a midfielder whose dexterity makes him indispensable right now.

In 2011, Witton took the lead through Titchiner and had Barrow right where they wanted them.

However Josh Hancock was then sent off after the referee spotted him swipe at an opponent, and Albion’s chance to advance had gone.

Adam Boyes scored four goals in less than half-an-hour to make to rub it in.

Pritchard’s men recovered, and went on to secure promotion after beating Curzon Ashton in the play-offs final.

“Barrow went home knowing they’d been in a game,” he told the Guardian afterwards.

Macauley will want Solihull to exactly feel the same way.

What if those sides - the 2011 version and today's - joined forces?

Here's our selection for what that team might look like:

Northwich Guardian:

Who would you pick?

Let us know in the comments below.