THE first round of the FA Trophy takes centre stage tomorrow afternoon.
And three of our clubs will be aiming to make it into the hat for the second round of the country’s premier knockout competition for non-League sides.
Liam Watson’s Southport, enjoying an excellent season in the Blue Square Bet League’s Premier Division, are set to take on Alfreton Town.
Coincidentally, the sides met last Saturday in a league match at Haig Avenue in which the Sandgrounders had to battle from a goal down before emerging victorious 2-1.
And Port manager Liam Watson is expecting another tight encounter when the sides clash at The Impact Arena in Derbyshire.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s encounter, Watson said: “We only played Alfreton last weekend and though we won 2-1, I’m still expecting another very, very tough game.
“Nicky Law’s side got a great result in midweek against Newport County and it is not over-stating it when people say it was a must-win game for them.
“Alfreton are going to be well organised and strong and though the league is their priority, I don’t see them having much scope for changing the side too much. As always, it promises to be a difficult game in Derbyshire for us.”
Also aiming to make it through tricky first round ties are Blue Square Bet League First Division side Vauxhall Motors who play host to Kidderminster Harriers from the Blue Square Bet League’s Premier Division while pace-setting Chester FC visit fellow Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division side North Ferriby United.
In the Evo-Stik League’s Northern Premier Division, sixth-placed Marine travel to Rushall Olympic who are four points behind the Mariners in eighth spot. At the other end of the table, bottom club Burscough will be endeavouring to bag a vital three points when they entertain fellow strugglers Whitby Town who are just two points above the Linnets.
In the Evo-Stik League’s First Division North, local bragging rights will be at stake – along with three vital points – when mid-table Warrington Town play host to second-placed Skelmersdale United. Elsewhere, Prescot Cables are home to Ossett Town while bottom side Cammell Laird visit fifth-placed Witton Albion.
In the North West Counties League’s Premier Division, leaders Bootle have a vital game at fellow title-challengers Barnoldswick Town.
The Lancashire side are third in the table, just a couple of points adrift of the Bucks. They also have four games in hand on Chris O’Brien’s team so Bootle will be aiming to emerge with at least a point from what is sure to be a well-contested encounter.
Elsewhere in the division, Runcorn Town play host to Glossop North End who they knocked out of the FA Vase last weekend. Runcorn Linnets go to Flixton, St Helens Town visit Winsford United while lowly AFC Liverpool are on their travels to second-placed Ramsbottom United.
In the North West Counties League’s First Division, Formby will have their sights set on three vital points when they go to Oldham Boro.
