Why should I watch..?

To see if Witton can recover from defeat at Hyde last weekend and put distance between themselves and the Northern Premier League top-flight’s relegation zone.

Albion start Saturday’s game with a four-point lead over Lancaster, who sit third from bottom despite an encouraging display during a 1-1 draw at title-chasing Warrington Town last time out.

An incentive for both sides is significant given that only five points separates Bamber Bridge in 13th position and the Dolly Blues down in 20th.

Tomorrow’s hosts have been boosted by the arrival of striker Brad Carsley from Brig and he has scored in each of his two appearances so far.

He has been followed from Preston to the Giant Axe this week by versatile midfielder Paul Dawson, who should make his debut against Witton.

What they’ve said

“It’s a bit of a six-pointer.

“We lost 1-0 at their place earlier in the season and we weren’t great.

“However if we perform like we can, then I’m confident we can take maximum points.”

Mark Fell, Lancaster City manager

“This is a big game for both of us.

“I’ve said repeatedly over the past few weeks that we’re looking down the table, and not up, and the fact that Lancaster are in the bottom three but only four points behind us vindicates that.

“They’ll be looking at this game as an opportunity to drag another team into the mix.”

Carl Macauley, Witton Albion manager

Numbers game

Lancaster have won only one of their past seven Premier Division matches, and just one of their past six at the Giant Axe

Witton team news

River Humphreys (ankle) is a major injury doubt for Albion after he left the field during the first-half of last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Hyde.

Billy Smart is available again after completing a two-match suspension, coincidentally as punishment for his reaction to being dismissed during the return game against Lancaster back in November.

James Yates was prevented by work commitments from being involved last weekend and should return too.

Chris Noone (knee) and Nick Ryan (leg) are long-term injury absentees.

Form guide (past six league games)

Lancaster D D W L L D

Witton L W L W L L

Disciplinary

Lancaster Y38 R4

Witton Y46 R2

Last season’s meetings

Witton 2-0 Lancaster (April 28, 2018)

Lancaster 4-0 Witton (September 26, 2017)

Previous meeting this season

Witton 1-0 Lancaster: match report

From the archive…

Remember when Alex Titchiner scored a wonder goal to help Witton down Lancaster at Giant Axe in April 2012?

The former Crewe Alexandra front man increased his tally for the campaign to 35 with a brilliant strike from outside of the penalty area to double the visitors’ lead.

He had opened the scoring shortly before the interval to set Brian Pritchard’s men on a course towards another victory.

The Guardian was there, and this is how we reported it: Lancaster 1-2 Witton: match report

Odds (Bet Victor)

Lancaster 15/8

Draw 13/5

Witton 13/10

Essential information

When Saturday, January 26

Kick-off 3pm                                         

Address Giant Axe, West Road, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 5PE

Admission Adults £10, Concessions (OAP/Students) £7, Under 17s £5, Accompanied under 14s Free

Parking Available for free at the ground