Why should I watch...? 

To see if 1874 Northwich can record a third successive victory in all competitions and continue a rich vein of scoring form after hitting eight in their past two games. 

They were comfortable 4-1 victors at the Abbey Stadium in a Macron Cup encounter before Christmas, the first game at the helm for former Winsford United manager Rob Byrne. 

His side has recorded three wins since to raise hopes they may yet avoid relegation from the North West Counties League’s top-flight this season. 

However they have lost eight of the 11 Premier Division matches that he has been in charge and they remain adrift at the bottom of the table. 

What they’ve said 

"Abbey Hey need to pick up points and I expect them to have a real go at us. 

“It will be a tougher game than we played them in the cup even though I thought they played with a lot of spirit and energy that afternoon too. 

“They have changed personnel since then, which isn’t a surprise given they’ll want to get guys in who haven’t grown accustomed to losing each week. 

“We need to be wary, while at the same time we feel there are areas in which we can get at them too.” 

Wayne Goodison, 1874 Northwich co-manager 

Numbers game 

1874 Northwich haven’t kept a clean-sheet in any of their past 14 matches, since a 2-0 win at Charnock Richard on November 17 

A man in form 

Scott McGowan 

The front man has scored in each of his past four appearances, increasing his goal tally for the campaign to 29 in 33 appearances. 

1874 team news 

Defensive duo Danny Meadowcroft and Lee Jackson are both unavailable. 

However Mark Jones and Jack Tinning are fit again, while Martyn Andrews could feature too for the first time following a transfer from West Didsbury & Chorlton. 

Versatile attacker Sam Hind is also expected to feature in the match-day squad. 

Paul Connor (Achilles) is an injury doubt, while Sam Freakes, Ryan Jackson and Joe Woolley (all knee) are long-term absentees. 

Form guide (past six league games) 

Abbey Hey L W L L L W 

1874 W L L L W W 

Discipline 

Abbey Hey Y54 R5 

1874 Y45 R4 

This season’s previous meetings 

Abbey Hey 1-4 1874 (Macron Cup, December 12, 2018) 

1874 1-1 Abbey Hey (NWCFL Premier Division, August 18, 2018) 

Last season’s league meetings 

1874 1-1 Abbey Hey (March 28, 2018) 

Abbey Hey 4-2 1874 Northwich (October 17, 2017) 

Essential information 

When Saturday, February 23 

Kick-off 3pm 

Address Abbey Stadium, Goredale Avenue, Gorton, Manchester M18 7HD 

Admission Adults £5, Concessions £3 

Parking Available for free inside the ground