Why should I watch..?

To see if 1874 Northwich can halt what is their worst sequence of results to date this season after four successive defeats in all competitions.

A resurgent West Didsbury & Chorlton are unlikely to be a soft touch though after winning five of their past seven North West Counties League matches.

The hosts have had the better of meetings with their opponents from south Manchester, including a 2-1 victory in the return back in September.

They will be boosted as well by the arrival of goalkeeper Tony Aghayere from Padiham.

West lost eight of their first 10 matches on the road this season but have improved to prevail in the two of the past three.

What they’ve said

“We can expect a different game from earlier in the season.

“West have always posed an attacking threat, even when they were on a losing run, but their results have picked up under a new manager and they’ve given themselves a great chance now of staying up.

“Our objective is clear; we must reduce the number of defensive errors we’re making to give ourselves a better chance of winning matches.”

Wayne Goodison, 1874 Northwich co-manager

In numbers

1874 have found West to be accommodating opponents in the past, winning 10 of the teams’ 12 previous meetings

1874 team news

Tony Aghayere, a goalkeeper recruited from Padiham earlier this week, is expected to make his debut.

However Jack Pritchard (ankle) is unlikely to be risked after sustaining an injury during last weekend’s 3-2 defeat against Vics.

The prognosis for Mark Jones (ankle) is more optimistic though after he took part in most of Thursday night’s training session.

Jake Parker reported back too but won’t be involved this weekend.

Kyle Riley (illness), Matthew Russell (shoulder) and Jack Tinning (knee) are ruled out along with long-term injury absentees Sam Freakes, Ryan Jackson and Joe Woolley (all knee).

Form guide (past six league games)

1874 L L L W W D

West W L W W L W

Discipline

1874 Y43 R4

West Y38 R2

Last season’s meetings

West 2-1 1874 (April 21, 2018)

1874 1-0 West (November 18, 2017)

Previous meeting this season

West 1-2 1874: match report

From the archive…

Do you remember when 1874 hosted West in an FA Cup extra preliminary round tie on a Friday night in August 2015?

It was one of the first matches in that season’s edition of the competition, and Ian Street’s side progressed to the next stage as a reward for an impressive 3-0 win.

Neil Chappell’s first-half double set them on a course for victory before Ryan Jackson’s goal in added time completed the scoring.

The Guardian was there, and this is how we reported it: 1874 3-0 West: match report

Essential information

When Saturday, January 26

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