The newly promoted Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One West side have to wait another week for their first-ever league campaign at Step 4 to get underway, but Kev Towey and Steve Akrigg's men have a tough test ahead of them against a Northwich side tipped by many to be the favourites for promotion in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division.

The Whites completed a famous double last season - lifting the Macron Cup just eight days after sealing a second successive promotion in May - and Widnes will be looking to pick up where they left off last term by progressing to the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history.

Steve Wilkes' visitors have strengthened well during the off-season, targeting a return to the Northern Premier League after a two-season absence. They have been installed by many as pre-season title favourites, but head to Townfield with a point to prove after a midweek loss to promotion rivals City of Liverpool.

The cup-tie marks the first-game that Widnes will play at their temporary home at Barnton's Townfield Lane, which is due to host home fixtures until the iPitch at the Halton Stadium has been relaid in mid-autumn.

Team News

Widnes have no new injury concerns ahead of the visit of Northwich. Sean Myler has stepped up his recovery from a knee injury picked up towards the end of last term in recent weeks, but is not yet ready to make a comeback.

Jack Graham (knee) had a disrupted pre-season due to a lingering problem sustained at the end of last season, but the midfielder is in contention for selection, while striker Ben Hodkinson has recovered from a hand injury that ruled him out of Widnes' final two pre-season games.

Jamie Rainford is still awaiting international clearance as of time of writing.

Northwich striker Billy Webb, formerly of Widnes, will miss out against his former club due to a thigh injury.

FA Cup Stats

Widnes will be eager to avoid a repeat of their debut in the FA Cup last season - a 5-0 home defeat to Handsworth Parramore.

Meanwhile, Vics exited the competition in the Extra Preliminary Round for the first time in their 109th FA Cup campaign last season, losing out to rivals 1874 Northwich.

Northwich have reached the Second Round proper twice in the last 10 seasons. Vics beat Charlton Athletic in front of the ITV cameras in the 2009-10 season before being beaten by Lincoln City.

Under the management of Jim Gannon in the 2015-16 season, Northwich were beaten 3-2 at Northampton Town, who scored three late goals in four minutes with now-Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting the winner.

Head to Head

Widnes picked up four points from the two league meetings between the sides last season.

The Whites beat Northwich 4-0 at the Halton Stadium back in April, while the two sides played out a 2-2 draw at Townfield last October while Vics were tenants at Barnton, with Andy Gillespie netting a late leveller for Widnes.

Matchday Information

Date: Saturday 11th August
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Location: Townfield Lane, Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 4LH
Adults: £7
Concession: £3
Under 16s: FREE when accompanied by a paying adult