Insider's view, team news and how much it costs to get in: Witton Albion v Chester FC preview

Chester FC will aim to take their first steps on the road to Wembley today when they travel across Cheshire to face Witton Albion in the FA Trophy first round (3pm kick-off).

The reborn Blues have happy memories of Wincham Park having won on their last league trip there in dramatic circumstances in October 2010 and having also claimed the Cheshire Senior Cup at the ground in April 2013.

And Chester are red-hot favourites to rack up another win at Witton's home given their fine form and given the fact they play three rungs higher up the non-league ladder than their opponents.

But Albion caused a shock in midweek when they beat Boston United to set up this afternoon's clash and as Andrew Simpson reveals, they are playing 'brilliantly' themselves.

Andrew is the senior sports writer for the Northwich Guardian and he has kindly given us the lowdown on a Witton side who are managed by ex-Chester assistant boss and former Vauxhall Motors chief Carl Macauley.

How are Witton playing at the moment?

Andrew: "Brilliantly. A come-from-behind win against Boston United in midweek epitomised perfectly what this side has evolved into under Carl Macauley's astute stewardship.

"They have flaws, some that might not yet have been exposed in their own division in truth, but most striking of all is how they've overrun teams because of their stamina and ability to play at a high intensity for long periods.

"That showed most obviously against Kettering and Boston in this FA Trophy run. Their opponents, both higher-ranked, arguably had better footballers. However they got swamped because they couldn't keep up".

Who should Chester be particularly aware of?

Andrew: "No doubt Chester fans will look at Rob Hopley and, as the team's leading scorer with 15 goals from 22 appearances, there is a logic to that. As a former Blue, he also needs no introduction.

"Brad Bauress is in scintillating form. He's a clever player; a midfielder that starts in a wide position, but drifts inside from where he is probably Albion's best passer. He also takes their set-pieces, and scored direct from a free kick on Tuesday.

"Anthony Brown is their best defender, and his return to the side following a six-week injury lay-off has been a major boost in the past seven days."

How many Witton fans will be in attendance?

Andrew: "Hard to say. I've written in my programme notes for Saturday's game that this is the biggest cup tie they've played in five years - since an FA Cup fourth qualifying round encounter with Barrow. The crowd that day was 860, with a sizeable contingent from Cumbria.

"There were 1,560 at Wincham Park for that pulsating Northern Premier League Division One North fixture between Witton and Chester in October 2010. I don't expect that many, but I'd be upset if the locals don't turn out in much higher numbers than their league average so far this term (which is just over 250)."

Thanks to Andrew for that. So what's the team news?

Albion captain Anthony Gardner, who injured an ankle in a 4-1 win at Chasetown last month, is a major doubt. Indeed, he hasn't played since. Midfield linchpin Paul Williams (knee) and in-form frontman Steven Tames (ankle) are definitely out. Both would be certain starters. Striker Cameron Dalton is out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg in an opening-day win at Stamford.

The Blues, meanwhile, are likely to have the same squad which drew 1-1 at Guiseley last weekend to extend the club's unbeaten run in the Vanarama National League to six games.