Buildbase FA Vase 6th Round preview - Leighton Town v 1874 Northwich
Thu 22nd February 2018 | FA Challenge Vase | By Ian Templeman
Once again, 1874 Northwich have the road to Wembley in their sights this weekend, as they travel to face Leighton Town in the quarter final of the Buildbase FA Vase.
The trip to Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire is the longest one that 1874 have undertaken so far in the competition, having enjoyed four home ties along with the relatively local trips to Vauxhall Motors and Irlam in earlier rounds.
The tie, however, have the look a tough test, as Leighton Town - who currently sit in third place in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division - are in a rich vein of form.
Like 1874 Northwich, Town have never reached this stage of the competition before, and their cup exploits coupled with the corresponding backlog of league fixtures means that if they won all their games in hand they would top the table.
Town have lost only once at home all season, and go into Saturday’s game on the back of 11 straight wins, a run going back to the 23rd December.
They are not the most prolific scorers in their league, with their average of just over two goals a game being bettered by those above them, although for the second time in two weeks they scored four goals in a league game when they won at Colney Heath on Saturday.
They have also rattled in 13 goals in their last three Vase games, winning 4-2 at Gorleston, 5-2 at home to Norwich CBS, and then 4-3 in a thriller at Wolverhampton SC in the last round.
The man to watch in the visiting ranks is James Hatch, who has scored 19 goals in 30 games so far this season, including two in the game at Wolverhampton SC.
The tie has all the makings of a close and keenly contested game, as would be expected at this stage of the competition, but 1874's form this season gives good cause for optimism in the Green camp.
They will be cheered on by a large travelling support at the Bell Close ground on Saturday afternoon, a point that 1874 joint-manager Paul Bowyer is quick to acknowledge.
“There's talk of 3 or 4 coaches of supporters going to the game, which will be fantastic for the lads”, he said.
“To have so much support such a long way from home is testament to the way the lads have played in the cup competitions this season.
“It also shows how fantastic our support has been all season to have so many people wanting to come and support us.
"Everyone at the club is looking forward to Saturday's game. We know what we're up against and Leighton are a strong side. They are enjoying a good season towards the top of their league, like both our opponents in the past two rounds, Chichester City and Pontefract Collieries.
“However, our season has been full of big games and we don't want this to end on Saturday. We'll prepare in the right way and give it our best shot.
“There's a long way to go in the competition, and we've done great to get this far”.
Buildbase FA Vase 6th Round preview - Leighton Town v 1874 Northwich
Thu 22nd February 2018 | FA Challenge Vase
By Ian Templeman
Once again, 1874 Northwich have the road to Wembley in their sights this weekend, as they travel to face Leighton Town in the quarter final of the Buildbase FA Vase.
The trip to Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire is the longest one that 1874 have undertaken so far in the competition, having enjoyed four home ties along with the relatively local trips to Vauxhall Motors and Irlam in earlier rounds.
The tie, however, have the look a tough test, as Leighton Town - who currently sit in third place in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division - are in a rich vein of form.
Like 1874 Northwich, Town have never reached this stage of the competition before, and their cup exploits coupled with the corresponding backlog of league fixtures means that if they won all their games in hand they would top the table.
Town have lost only once at home all season, and go into Saturday’s game on the back of 11 straight wins, a run going back to the 23rd December.
They are not the most prolific scorers in their league, with their average of just over two goals a game being bettered by those above them, although for the second time in two weeks they scored four goals in a league game when they won at Colney Heath on Saturday.
They have also rattled in 13 goals in their last three Vase games, winning 4-2 at Gorleston, 5-2 at home to Norwich CBS, and then 4-3 in a thriller at Wolverhampton SC in the last round.
The man to watch in the visiting ranks is James Hatch, who has scored 19 goals in 30 games so far this season, including two in the game at Wolverhampton SC.
The tie has all the makings of a close and keenly contested game, as would be expected at this stage of the competition, but 1874's form this season gives good cause for optimism in the Green camp.
They will be cheered on by a large travelling support at the Bell Close ground on Saturday afternoon, a point that 1874 joint-manager Paul Bowyer is quick to acknowledge.
“There's talk of 3 or 4 coaches of supporters going to the game, which will be fantastic for the lads”, he said.
“To have so much support such a long way from home is testament to the way the lads have played in the cup competitions this season.
“It also shows how fantastic our support has been all season to have so many people wanting to come and support us.
"Everyone at the club is looking forward to Saturday's game. We know what we're up against and Leighton are a strong side. They are enjoying a good season towards the top of their league, like both our opponents in the past two rounds, Chichester City and Pontefract Collieries.
“However, our season has been full of big games and we don't want this to end on Saturday. We'll prepare in the right way and give it our best shot.
“There's a long way to go in the competition, and we've done great to get this far”.
