WITTON Albion supporters can be forgiven for not knowing much about their team’s opponents in the FA Trophy this weekend.

The names of Spennymoor and FC United of Manchester, both of them sent packing by Carl Macauley’s men from the FA Cup earlier this season, were familiar as former rivals in the Northern Premier League’s top-flight.

However Leamington, the hosts for a third round qualifying tie on Saturday afternoon, do not fit that bill.

Here’s an introduction to the Brakes:

What level do they play at and how are they getting on?

Leamington are playing for the second season in National League North, a level they were promoted to at the end of the 2016-2017 campaign after prevailing in the Southern League Premier Division play-offs final.

The Brakes sit 10th in the table following a run of three successive wins, including a victory at Alfreton in midweek.

Their home form has been inconsistent though, and they hadn’t won any of their previous six league games in front of their own supporters before squeezing past Chester last weekend.

How have they reached this stage of the competition?

By doing nothing!

The 22 teams that make up National League North were exempt until the third round of qualifying for this season’s edition.

In contrast, Witton have knocked out Whitby Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds to make it this far.

What is the furthest they have gone in the FA Trophy?

The current incarnation of Leamington, eligible to enter again from the 2007-2008 campaign following their promotion as Midlands Alliance champions, reached the second round five seasons ago.

They were eliminated by Dover Athletic.

Leamington have come through qualifying though in two of the past three years, and lost 1-0 at home to Stourbridge last term.

Haven’t they met Witton before?

Indeed they have.

Albion hosted Automotive Products Leamington, or AP Leamington as they were referred to, in an FA Trophy tie back in January 1984.

The Northwich side bowed out in freezing conditions in front of their own supporters following a narrow 4-3 reverse after trailing 2-0 at the interval.

Any links to mid Cheshire?

Curiously, yes.

Jack Lane, a central defender, was captain at Winsford United during a spell with Blues in the 2013-2014 season.

A former student at St Nicholas RC High School, he left Barton Stadium to play for a short while in the US with Sacramento Republic before returning to England and signing for Ilkeston.

While there, he scored a spectacular goal for the Robins against Witton Albion at Wincham Park on the opening day of a new Northern Premier League campaign on August 16, 2014.