Witton tread familiar ground on Saturday afternoon when they face another long trip to the North East as South Shields stand between them and a place in the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Challenge Cup.
The Mariners have made a decent start in the National League North and currently sit sixth in the table having lost only one of eight games so far this season.
Despite their league position, goals have been a bit short in supply with leading scorer Paul Blackett having three goals to his name so far.
Their only defeat was rather convincing as they shipped six goals at leaders Hereford but there have also been a couple of draws in there as well.
Witton also sit sixth in the Northern Premier League West Division, two leagues below their opponents but are also in good form with just one defeat in their last five games and have three clean sheets in that time.
Whilst the Mariners enter the competition at this stage, Ben Harrison’s team have already progressed through three rounds and have yet to concede a goal.
The last round saw Witton produce an excellent performance and result to overcome in-form Avro, the challenge facing them now is on a whole new level, but one they will go into with confidence and determination.
The two teams have met twice before in the competition and have one win each so hopefully, Witton can get the right result this time.
The last meeting between the two was back in 2022 in a Northern Premier League game in the North East with Shields coming out on top with a 3-1 win. A goal from Jesse Dowling was Witton’s consolation on that occasion.
Only one member of the squad on that night remains with the Albion for this game, midfielder James Lawrie.
It is certainly going to be a difficult test for Witton, but on their day they’re a match for anyone and in cup football anything can happen.
Kick off at the Wolf Competitions Stadium is 3pm.
SOUTH SHIELDS FC,
WOLF COMPETITIONS STADIUM,
SHAFTESBURY AVENUE,
SOUTH SHIELDS,
SOUTH TYNESIDE,
NE32 3UP.
Directions: From A556. Merge onto M56 and follow for 5.4 miles. Keep right at the fork to stay on M56, follow signs for A5103/City Centre/M60 N & W/M62 W/M61. After 0.8 miles, continue onto Princess Parkway/A5103. For 0.7 miles. Merge onto M60 via the slip road to Ring Road (W & N)/Liverpool/Bolton/Leeds/M61/M62 and follow for 15.0 miles. Keep right to continue on M62 and follow for 27.2 miles. Keep right at the fork to stay on M62 and continue for 4.1 miles. Keep right at the fork to stay on M62 for 5.8 miles. At junction 29, take the M1 North exit to M621/Leeds and follow for 0.9 miles. Merge onto M1 and follow for 0.7 miles. Keep left at the fork to stay on M1, follow signs for Leeds(East) continue for 10.5 miles. Merge onto A1(M) and follow for 50.9 miles. Keep right at the fork to stay on A1(M) and follow for 30.7 miles. Keep right at the fork to continue on A194(M), follow signs for South Shields for 3.7 miles. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Leam Lane/A194 and continue for 0.6 miles. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Leam Lane/A194 follow for 1.6 miles. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on Leam Lane/A194 follow for 0.3 miles. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Hadrian Road/A194. Continue to follow A194 for 0.3 miles. Turn left onto Shaftesbury Avenue. Football stadium on the right after 0.4 miles. (Total Distance - 170.7 miles).
Parking: Car parking is available on Shaftesbury Avenue, as well as the overflow car park at the nearby Barbour store.
Away supporters can enter the ground using turnstiles 3 & 4 located next to the officials’ car park at the bottom of the road as you pass the Wolf Competitions Stadium. Please note: Segregation will be in place.
Disabled Facilities: There is an elevated platform for wheelchair users in front of the social club and is undercover.
Payment by Card and cash are accepted at the turnstiles.
Admission Prices: Seating: Adults: £12, Concessions(Over 65/Disabled/Student): £8, 14-17 Year Olds: £5, 13 Years and under: £2.
Standing: Adults: £10, Concessions(Over 65/Disabled/Student): £6, 14-17 Year Olds: £3, 13 Years and under: Admitted FREE. Please note: ALL Juniors whether Seating or Standing MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 and above.
Identifications for certain categories will be checked.
Matchday Programme: On sale inside the stadium - Cost: £3.
Social Club: The Social Club is a two-storey building with two function rooms on the top floor and a balcony over-looking the pitch.
Refreshments: There is a burger van located in the corner of the stadium.
Toilet Facilities: There are toilet facilities including wheelchair accessible facilities within the main stand and around the stadium.
Additional Information: Should the game be drawn, the replay is scheduled to be played at the Bedspace Trust Community Stadium on TUESDAY, 22nd SEPTEMBER with a 7.45pm kick off.
