'WE are the team of the town now!' - that is the message from Witton Albion boss Jim Vince in the aftermath of rivals Northwich Vics' exit from the FA Trophy, writes Ben Coulbeck.
While Vics supporters now face up to a potential relegation dog-fight in the Football Conference, the red-and-white half of the town are being treated to some of the best football played at Wincham Park for more than a decade.
Saturday's 4-1 victory over Ilkeston Town leaves Albion just five points behind leaders Telford United - with two games in hand - and Vince's men are eager to pile on the pressure.
'It's all about putting pressure on the teams above you,' he said. 'We are in a mini-league now and if we can continue to play the way we are then we have every chance of going up.
'The amount of people coming up to me and saying that this is the best Witton side they have seen is sta g g ering.
'We are the only team in the town that are winning at the moment. We going for a championship title whereas our rivals are fighting to stay up.
'The message is, come and watch us!'
Albion travelled to Burscough last night, a match that took place after the Chronicle went to press, and they host Matlock on Saturday (3pm ko).
Leaders Telford have suffered a dip in form recently and are without a league win since January, but Vince believes that games are getting tougher and Saturday's clash with the Gladiators will be no different.
'They are the real dark horses of this league and have just got into the play-off positions, but we will be focused on trying to play like we have been.
'Of course we have one eye on the top of the league, but we are not getting carried away.'
