Why should I watch..?

To see if Winsford can bring to an end a four-match sequence without a victory.

A 3-2 defeat at West Didsbury & Chorlton last weekend saw Blues tumble from the North West Counties League Premier Division table’s top 10 for the first time this season.

They host one of the division’s strugglers tomorrow at Barton Stadium, opponents they have already beaten earlier this term.

Abbey Hey have lost six successive league matches since they thrashed Barnton in late-November, and occupy a place in the relegation zone heading into the weekend.

They did win the corresponding fixture last season though, when Ashford Blake scored a double.

What they’ve said

“I’m a bad loser, and so hearing people say after last weekend’s game that we’d played well and that they admired our style of football was hard to take.

“They floored us with a sucker punch by scoring again at the end, and that was a reminder that we still need to be sharper at both ends of the field.”

Lee Duckworth, Winsford United player-manager

Numbers game

Abbey Hey have collected twice as many points this season from away games than they have in front of their own supporters

Man to keep an eye on

Michael Taylor

The midfielder made a discrete debut in midfield for Winsford at West last weekend.

He needs games, and will get stronger the more he plays, but Blues manager Lee Duckworth is confident he can provide both muscle and balance in the centre of the pitch.

Winsford team news

Sean Sherwood continues to struggle with a knee complaint but Michael Koral, withdrawn as a precaution with a tight hamstring last weekend, should be fit.

Defender Danny Kerr is unavailable, while front man Jordan Johnson (knee) remains a long-term absentee.

Following appearances as a substitute at West, midfielder James Rothwell and wide man Ryan Steele are pushing for a recall.

Form (past six in league)

Winsford L L D L W W

Abbey Hey L L L L L L

Most recent meetings

Abbey Hey 1-2 Winsford (NWCFL Premier Division, September 30 2017)

Abbey Hey 1-3 Winsford (NWCFL Premier Division, October 22 2016)

Winsford 0-2 Abbey Hey (NWCFL Premier Division, August 13 2016)

Essential information

When Saturday, January 20

Kick-off 3pm

Address St Luke’s Barton Stadium, Kingsway, Winsford CW7 3AE

Admission Adults £6, Concessions (OAP/under 21s) £4, Under 16s £1

Parking Available for free at the ground