Why should I watch..?
To see if Witton can follow up an impressive win on their travels to Stalybridge 48 hours earlier with another.
Albion recorded a 2-0 victory at Bower Fold, where Rob Hopley and Tom Owens were on target, to move six points clear of the Northern Premier League top-flight’s relegation zone.
They are feeling confident away from home too; a tally of seven wins is the biggest in the Premier Division outside of the table’s top-five.
Promoted Basford won 10 of their first 11 games at Greenwich Avenue this season but have been beaten in the past three.
The Nottingham-based side at least ended a wretched run of seven defeats in eight matches when they scraped past back-markers North Ferriby United last time out.
However they still pose a formidable attacking threat; only South Shields have scored more goals to date.
What they’ve said
“Witton were one of my favourites to be challenging for promotion and for whatever reason their season has not got going.
“They have been a very good side at this level over the past couple of seasons and have always been a good footballing side.
“They pose a real threat and we will need to be at our very best.”
Martin Carruthers, Basford United manager
“Basford enjoyed a great start to the season but have recently gone through a patch when results didn’t go their way.
“They halted that slide though when they beat North Ferriby, and I’m sure that will have given them a lift.
“We’re expecting a difficult night, and we’ve got to be on our guard.”
Carl Macauley, Witton Albion manager
Numbers game
Basford have lost their past three home matches in the Northern Premier League, conceding 14 goals
Witton team news
Everybody came through Saturday’s encounter with Stalybridge unscathed, although Carl Macauley said afterwards he had noticed one or two players showing signs of fatigue.
Chris Noone (knee) and Nick Ryan (leg) are long-term injury absentees.
Form guide (past six league games)
Basford W L L L L L
Witton W L L W L W
Disciplinary
Basford Y62 R5
Witton Y49 R2
Previous meetings
Basford 1-2 Witton (January 28, 2017)
Witton 2-1 Basford (October 1, 2016)
From the archive…
Do you remember Witton’s first visit to Basford two years ago?
Albion rode their luck to complete a league double over Basford, halting a 12-match unbeaten run for the Nottingham side in front of their own supporters.
Carl Macauley’s men came from behind to do it, establishing a 2-1 interval lead thanks to goals from Scott Lycett and Rob Hopley.
Goalkeeper Danny Roberts then took centre stage, forming a one-man barrier between the home team and a share of the spoils.
Here’s how the Guardian reported it: Basford 1-2 Witton: match report
Odds (Bet Victor)
Basford 6/5
Draw 27/10
Witton 2/1
Essential information
When Monday, February 11
Kick-off 7.45pm
Address Greenwich Avenue, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG6 0LD
Admission Adults £9, Concessions (including season ticket holders at a Premier League or EFL club) £6, Under 16s £2
Parking Available at the ground
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