Why should I watch..?

To see if Witton Albion can prevent visitors Basford United from completing a double after they ran out 3-1 victors in the return last month.

Carl Macauley’s men have lost only one of their seven matches since, winning five of them, and enter the weekend tied on points with their guests.

That gives them reason to be optimistic despite the disappointment of conceding an equaliser during added time of a meeting with Stafford in midweek.

A decimated side demonstrated its determination after losing three players to injury, one of them following a warm-up before kick-off, and having only one substitute.

Basford have lost five of their past seven matches on their travels; the others were victories away to the table’s bottom two.

They have won two of the three games played with Liam Hearn as interim manager following Martin Carruthers’ departure including a semi-finals success at Hucknall in the Nottinghamshire FA Senior Cup in midweek.

What they’ve said

"We’ve been struggling badly with injuries and unavailability because of work commitments but the passion of these players hasn’t ever been in doubt.

"They’ve remained hungry and are desperate to pick up as many points as they can despite having odds heavily stacked against them.”

Carl Macauley, Witton Albion manager

"We've watched a few Witton games and will put a plan in place to go there and get a positive result.

“They are a well-organised and strong team who have good experience in good areas but then so have we.”

Dom Roma, Basford United coach

Numbers game

Witton have lost only one of their past six Premier Division matches at Wincham Park. Four of the other five have ended in victory

It’s an important afternoon for…

Witton’s defence

They remain second only to Warrington Town in terms of goals conceded but will be up against one of the Premier Division’s most formidable attacks.

Witton team news

Albion added to a depleted squad on Friday when they announced the arrival of Jack Egan, a winger who left Carlisle United last month, and teenager Lewis Doyle on loan from National League North Southport.

However Ben Harrison, a scorer on his debut against Stafford during a 1-1 draw in midweek, is unavailable this weekend.

His place in defence will be taken by River Humphreys, who returns after work commitments ruled him out on Tuesday.

Matty Devine (dislocated shoulder) adds his name to a list of injury absentees that includes Will Booth (knee), Chris Noone (knee) and Nick Ryan (leg).

Osebi Abadaki (groin) is doubtful but Danny McKenna could feature after coming through a training session on Thursday.

Anthony Gardner is likely to be included in the squad too after recovering from a hamstring strain.

Form guide (past six league games)

Witton D W W L W W

Basford L W L D W W

Disciplinary

Witton Y63 R3

Basford Y68 R6

This season’s previous meeting

Basford 3-1 Witton: match report

From the archive…

Do you remember when Basford United visited Wincham Park for the first time in October 2016?

The teams were rivals in the Northern Premier League’s First Division South and Basford arrived with four wins to their name from the previous five matches.

Goals from Rob Hopley and Paul Williams put the hosts out of reach but a reply from Courey Grantham for the visitors raised hopes they might earn a draw.

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

Odds (Bet Victor)

Witton 13/10

Draw 12/5

Basford 9/5

Essential information

When Saturday, March 23 2019

Kick-off 3pm

Address Wincham Park, Chapel Street, Wincham, Northwich CW9 6DA

Admission Adults £10, Concessions £7, Under 21s £5, Under 16s £2

Parking Available for free at the ground