MATCH PREVIEW: Renewing acquaintances

Despite a poor overall record against Witton Albion over the years, it will be good to meet up with them again on Saturday at Wincham Park, now known as The U Lock It Stadium, in NPL West (3pm).

The thirty-three year old stadium has had some wonderful names in the recent past, due to sponsorship deals, but I suspect it wiœll always be Wincham Park to the average away supporter.

At least Reds have won there on the odd occasion, unlike Albion’s former town centre home, The Central Ground.  A few draws and  a string of defeats was our miserable record there.

Having said that, we did draw there in 1951 in an FA Cup tie, won the replay and, famously, went on to play Liverpool at Anfield.

We became regular league opponents in the 1979-80 season and Albion inflicted a double upon us then and have done so several times since including our most recent meetings during our relegation season, 2018-19, when we lost both games 2-0.

Like us, they had a good win in the FA Cup last week (4-1 v. Tividale) and have been rewarded with a cracking home tie in the next round when FC United of Manchester come to town.

In the league, they have lost to Glossop North End and drew with Newcastle Town.

Danny Grainger, having gone the entire pre-season with a depleted squad, now has plenty of options player wise and can tweak the team when necessary.  And with two games in three days over the Bank Holiday weekend, he will need all available players.

Parking is available at the ground (CW9 6DA) – but not in front of the main entrance – and supporters are reminded that if they want pre-match refreshments they should enter the Social Club from the outside of the stadium.

Admission:
Adult – £10
Concession – £6
18 to 21 – £4
U18 – £2

Programme – £2