Last time out, goals from River Humphreys, Luke J Edwards and Kev Towey secured a 3-1 victory for Widnes over Carlisle City at the Select Security Stadium; their fourth win in their last six league games.

Widnes’ latest victory extends their unbeaten run to 11 games – a club record – and lifts Dunn’s side to 7th in the First Division, eight points behind sixth-placed Sandbach United with three games in-hand.

FC Oswestry Town head into Saturday’s game in a poor run of form. Michael Barton’s side were keen to put December behind them having lost four straight games to end 2016.

Oswestry kicked-off 2017 with a 0-0 draw at home to a new-look Stockport Town side, ending their run of defeats but extending their winless run to five games.

Barton took over in October – initially on a interim basis before being appointed permanently – following the resignation of previous manager Dan Stevens.

These two sides have met on two different occasions this season. Striker Towey netted a hat-trick in a 3-1 league win back in August, before Chris Lomax netted his own treble in a 4-1 Reusch First Division Cup victory in early October.

Widnes head into Saturday’s game with the playoffs, and promotion to the Premier Division, firmly in their own hands. Dunn’s side have multiple games in-hand on all six teams above them. Meanwhile, a win for Oswestry would take them one point above Widnes having played five games more.

Due to the unavailability of the Select Security Stadium, Saturday’s fixture will be held at Barnton’s Hinchcliffe Holmes Stadium.

Recent Form

Widnes

Carlisle City (H) – Won 3-1
Atherton LR (H) – Won 3-0
City of Liverpool (H) – Drew 0-0
Charnock Richard (A) – Won 4-1 (Reusch First Division Cup QF)
Winsford United (A) – Won 2-1, AET (Macron Cup 3R)
Holker Old Boys (H) – Drew 2-2

FC Oswestry Town

Stockport Town (H) – Drew 0-0
Sandbach United (H) – Lost 5-1
Whitchurch Alport (A) – Lost 2-0
Charnock Richard (H) – Lost 5-0
Prestwich Heys (A) – Lost 5-2
Cheadle Town (H) – Won 2-1

Joey Dunn looks ahead…

Despite the venue change, Dunn says that the preparation for Saturday's game won't be any different.

He said: "Today's probably give us food for thought in regards to training this week, and conversations I need to have with certain players.

"In the greater scheme of things, it shouldn't really matter who, or where you're playing and we won't be doing anything differently.

"If anything, we can see it as a positive as we've been very good away from home this season but it’s another game that we've got to look at winning."

Matchday Information

Fixture: Widnes v FC Oswestry Town
Date: Saturday 14th January
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: The Hinchliffe Holmes Stadium, Townfield Lane, Barnton, Cheshire, CW8 4LH
Adults: £5
Concession: £3
Under 16s: FREE when accompanied by a paying adult