Why should I watch..?

To see if 1874 Northwich can complete a double over their Cheshire rivals and at the same time land a blow on the Bears’ hopes of being promoted as champions.

They make a short trip to Barton Stadium six points adrift of leaders City of Liverpool but with a game in hand.

Brian Pritchard’s men are in good form too, and have won five of their past six top-flight matches.

They will be greeted by hosts that put behind them the disappointment of losing to Litherland REMYCA before Christmas by taking a point from a Boxing Day derby with Winsford before beating Padiham.

However a side managed by Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison remains in the Premier Division table’s bottom-half.

What they’ve said

“The lads have been told a repeat of the first-half performance at Padiham can never be seen again – it was unacceptable.

“They responded though, and I thought they were tremendous in the second-half and that’s where we need to pick up from this weekend.

“The games against Congleton are rarely dull; both teams seem to bring out the best in each other and I expect the same to happen again.”

Wayne Goodison, 1874 Northwich co-manager

In numbers

Congleton have won only one of their previous nine meetings with 1874 Northwich in a North West Counties League fixture

Man to keep an eye on

Scott McGowan

The striker simply loves playing against his former club; he has scored 10 goals against the Bears for 1874 Northwich since leaving

1874 team news

New recruit Jack Tinning is available following his arrival from Padiham and will take the place of full-back Matt Russell, who is ruled out indefinitely by a shoulder injury.

Aaron Burgess (ankle), Kyle Riley (illness) and Jake Parker (work commitments) are unavailable, while Jack Pritchard serves a one-match ban.

Danny Meadowcroft is in the squad.

Form guide (past six league games)

1874 W D L D W D

Congleton W W L W W W

Discipline

1874 Y37 R3

Congleton Y45 R4

Last season’s meetings

Congleton 1-4 1874 (April 24, 2018)

1874 2-2 Congleton (October 10, 2017)

From the archive…

Remember when Congleton first visited Barton Stadium to play 1874 Northwich in a Premier Division fixture?

It was in April 2015, and a brace from midfielder Neil Chappell secured maximum points for Ian Street’s side.

The Guardian was there, and this is how we reported it: 1874 2-0 Congleton: match report

Essential information

When Saturday, January 5

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