Why should I watch..?
To see who can land a first blow in a semi-final that will be played over two legs this week.
Northwich Victoria eliminated 2014 FA Vase winners Sholing last time out and play host to an opponent that bookmakers have installed as favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley in May.
Curiously, neither side has played in more than a fortnight.
Vics enter the weekend in their best form of the season after recording a victory in eight of their past nine matches in all competitions.
They have scored 28 goals in that sequence.
Chertsey Town, from Combined Counties League’s top-flight, have lost only one of their 26 Premier Division fixtures to date this term.
They trail leaders Sutton Common Rovers by four points but have six games in hand.
What they’ve said
“There are no duck eggs left because you can’t fluke getting this far.
“These lads have never played in a game where playing at Wembley is the prize for winning.
“That brings with it pressure, and so a deciding factor will be which set of players deals with that best.”
Steve Wilkes, Northwich Victoria manager
“What 30 years in the game has taught me is you can’t look too far ahead.
“We must stay in the real world and take one game at a time.”
Dave Anderson, Chertsey Town manager
Numbers game
He’s had to wait for another fortnight, but Vics boss Steve Wilkes will finally pick a side for the 1,000th time as a manager
It’s an important afternoon for…
The home team’s attack
Vics will be determined to take with them a lead to defend in the second leg, a task that won’t be an easy one.
Chertsey have conceded a single goal during a run to the last four and that was in a first-round encounter with Flackwell Heath back in October.
The Curfews shut out each of their next five opponents.
Vics team news
Steve Wilkes expects to have everybody available, including Darrhyl Mason (hand) who has benefitted from an extra week to recover from an injury sustained during a 6-0 win against West Didsbury & Chorlton last month.
Brandon Barski and Matty Clarke, both suspended for a quarter-finals success against Sholing, are available again.
The manager is boosted too by the return of midfielder John Connolly who ended a four-month wait to play again when he appeared as a substitute at Hanley last time out.
John Bennett (knee) is the only long-term absentee.
Form (past six in all competitions)
Vics W W W L W W
Chertsey W W W W D L
Path to this stage
Vics QF bt Sholing (h) 3-1 (aet); L16 bt Histon (a) 3-1 (aet); R4 bt Newcastle Benfield (a) 3-2 R3 bt Silsden (h) 3-0; R2 bt Prestwich Heys (h) 1-0 (r); R1 bt Cammell Laird (h) 5-0; 2QR bt Maltby Main (h) 2-0
Chertsey QF bt West Auckland Town (a) 2-0; L16 bt Irlam (a) 2-0; R4 bt AFC St Austell (h) 5-0; R3 bt Redbridge (a) 5-0; R2 bt Horndean (h) 2-0; R1 bt Flackwell Heath (h) 6-1
Last season in FA Vase
Vics First Qualifying Round
Chertsey First Qualifying Round
Match odds (Betway)
Vics 6/4
Draw 11/4
Chertsey 7/5
Essential information
When Sunday, March 24
Kick-off 2pm
Address Witton Albion FC, Wincham Park, Chapel Street, Wincham, Northwich CW9 6DA
Admission Adults £6, Concessions £4, Under 16s £2, Under 12s Free (if accompanied by paying adult)
Second leg Saturday, March 30 (ko 3pm)
Prize money Winners £5,500; Losers £1,750
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