Why should I watch..?

In some respects, Witton Albion’s campaign in the Northern Premier League this season starts here.

A run to the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, plus commitments in three other knockout competitions – the FA Trophy, Integro League Cup and the Cheshire FA Senior Cup – means they haven’t played a Premier Division fixture since October 9.

Their rivals have been collecting points while they haven’t been playing, and Carl Macauley’s men enter the weekend occupying a position in the table’s bottom three.

They have played fewer games than any rival though.

With four of five league games scheduled this month taking place at Wincham Park, they will be desperate to make the most of an opportunity to add to their points tally.

What they’ve said

“This is an important game for us, and we expect it to be difficult.

“Lancaster have picked up since they changed manager, which can happen when everybody feels that they’re starting from scratch, and that makes them a different proposition from a few weeks ago.

“Our aim though is to try and get some points on the board before we play again in the FA Trophy in order to take off some of the pressure.”

Gary Martindale, Witton Albion assistant manager

“Witton are down there and have not had a great start to the season but they still have some good players.

“We know what they’re all about and it is a tough place to go.

“However we travel there with plenty of optimism and knowing a win will put us six points clear of them.”
Mark Fell, Lancaster City manager

Numbers game

Witton have lost their past two Premier Division games, at Scarborough and then at home to Mickleover.

However they haven’t been beaten in three successive Northern Premier League games in more than a year.

Witton team news

Carl Macauley can pick Liam Goulding after the Altrincham man completed a loan move, which will last an initial month, on Friday.

Tom Owens came through half an hour in midweek, bringing to an end a seven-week absence, when he came on as a second-half substitute during a 2-1 defeat against Kidsgrove Athletic in the Integro League Cup second round.

Front man Delial Brewster (ankle) is a doubt though after missing the past three matches.

Form guide (past six league games)

Witton L L W D L D

Lancaster W L W W D L

Odds (10Bet)

Witton 6/5

Draw 13/5

Lancaster 7/4

Last season’s meetings

Witton 2-0 Lancaster (April 28, 2018)

Lancaster 4-0 Witton (September 26, 2017)

Essential information

When Saturday, November 3

Kick-off 3pm

Address Wincham Park, Chapel Street, Wincham, Northwich CW9 6DA

Admission Adults £10, Concessions £7, Under 21s £5, Under 16s £2

Parking Available for free at the ground