Why should I watch..?

To see whether 1874 Northwich can carry the momentum from a fight-back in midweek at Hanley into the return.

They recovered from 2-0 down to claim a share of the spoils, although both teams might have scored a decisive goal in the closing stages after creating chances.

A side managed by Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison is unbeaten in their past six North West Counties League games – and have lost only one of the previous nine – and have risen to 10th in the Premier Division table as a reward.

Hanley have shown signs of improvement under new manager Simon Bell, although they have lost their past four away games in all competitions.

Michael Keates is a man in form after scoring in three successive matches.

What they’ve said

“We’ve taken four points from two difficult away games and we’re happy with that.

“Hanley isn’t an easy place to go for anybody, no matter how they might be doing, and we can take heart from how we battled back from 2-0 down after losing Mark Jones to injury.

“We had to shuffle things around, and that didn’t help, but we never lost hope that we could recover from there.”

Wayne Goodison, 1874 Northwich co-manager

“We were disappointed on Tuesday because at 2-0 up with 25 minutes left we should win the game.

“But errors have cost us again, even though at 2-2 we had a glorious chance in the last minute and their goalkeeper made a brilliant save.

“The lads are buzzing though; they’re enjoying themselves and we’re looking forward to Saturday’s game now.”

Keilan Bond, Hanley assistant manager

In numbers

A 2-2 draw in midweek extends to eight matches an unbeaten run for 1874 Northwich in head-to-heads with Hanley Town

Man to keep an eye on

Danny Meadowcroft

Has yet to feature for 1874 Northwich this season but has been included in the squad to give Mark Jones time to recover from a blow to the head during Tuesday’s game.

The defender was a commanding figure at the heart of the team’s defence last season and has worked hard over the past few weeks, making appearances for Knutsford in the Cheshire League and playing in friendlies, to get up to speed again.

1874 team news

Defender Danny Meadowcroft returns, and is a contender to take the place of Mark Jones who is ruled out by a head injury sustained during the early exchanges on Tuesday.

However goalkeeper James Coates (back) and full-back Matty Russell (elbow) have been passed fit.

Aaron Burgess (ankle) will have to wait a little longer to make his debut, while work commitments rule out Jack Irlam.

Sam Freakes, Ryan Jackson and Joe Woolley (all knee), and striker Kyle Riley (hand), are all ruled out by injury.

Form guide (past six league games)

1874 D W W D W D

Hanley D L W L L L

Discipline

1874 Y33 R2

Hanley Y43 R5

Last season’s meetings

Hanley 1-1 1874 (March 31, 2018)

1874 2-0 Hanley (December 5, 2017)

From the archive…

Remember when 1874 Northwich recovered from 2-0 down to beat Hanley in December 2013?

The teams had played out a thrilling first-round encounter in the League Challenge Cup earlier in the same season and they did not disappoint when they met at Barton Stadium again.

Hanley led 2-0 after 35 minutes only for their hosts to roar back and restore parity by the break when Michael Brandon and Steve Crane scored.

Rick Bailey made it 3-2 before Brandon added gloss, and with it secured maximum points, with his second of the contest in front of a crowd of 322.

Essential information

When Saturday, November 24

Kick-off 3pm

Address Barton Stadium, Kingsway, Winsford CW7 3AE

Admission Adults £6, Concessions (OAP/Students) £4, Under 17s £1, Under 12s Free

Parking Free at the ground