WITTON Albion face the Winsford striker they turned down when Leek Town visit Wincham Park on Saturday. The game is being covered live on the internet channel NPL TV and kicks off at 12.45pm.

Rob Hopley, the local lad who came good with Winsford United, tried to get a foothold at Witton.

He came highly recommended by Middlewich Town boss Terry Murphy, but Hopley was virtually ignored at training by then Witton boss Gary Finley and found a niche at home town club Winsford United instead.

His goals took United firstly to the edge of promotion and then into the North West Counties Second Division championship.

He joined Leek in the summer and has scored six times in 17 appearances, in a struggling side.

He will line up alongside Tony Danylyk and Dave Tickle who started the season at Wincham Park.

Witton will involve their own new striker, Tony Evans, from Skelmersdale, who made his debut against Ilkeston Town.

Manager Jim Vince said: “He is 21, has scored 24 goals and had offers from Southport and Leigh.

“It is great he chose us and he is here for the long term. We had cover from every player, but not Adam Warlow, without changing the dynamic of the team. Until now.

“Tony has bags of talent, is strong, big and scores goals.

“Who knows, he may become the ideal partner in attack for Adam.”

Vince has balanced the books by releasing Kyle Wilson, who scored four times in seven appearances, but did not impress enough to oust other not dissimilar players.

Albion have a clean bill of health with Warlow recovering from sickness and reclaiming his shirt from Evans, who is likely to be among the substitutes.

There have been no moves during the January transfer window for Albion’s more prominent stars and they would not leave anyway, says Vince.

“There are 15 games to go. The players are all focussed on winning the title. No-one wants to leave,” he said.

The game can be viewed on a personal computer. The deal with Invision is for weekly transmissions and is worth £75,000 this season.

The match is also being recorded to be shown in the social club at 3pm.