We enter the Emirates FA Cup at Nethermoor on Saturday with a visit from North West Counties Premier Division side Avro in a 3pm kick-off.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance here, tickets will also be on sale on the day at the turnstiles with payment by cash only, it is also cash payments only inside the ground for programmes and 50/50 cash draw tickets. Food and drink from The Lions’ Diner and clubhouse food servery can be paid for by cash or card and the clubhouse accepts and prefers payment by card.

Tickets are priced at £10 adults, £6 concessions (inc students and registered disabled), £3 U18s and £1 accompanied U11s – season tickets are not valid for this fixture.

The Lions will be looking to get back to winning ways after a 1-0 loss at home to Bamber Bridge on Bank Holiday Monday to conclude a busy August.

Previous Meetings

It will be our first ever meeting with Avro who have risen through the leagues in recent years and are entering the Emirates FA Cup for just the fourth time.

The Oldham based side are on their longest ever run in the competition.

The Lions’ Form Book

The Lions go into the game with a draw and a loss behind them from the last few days of August.

It was just the second defeat of the campaign after a four game unbeaten run which included three wins and a draw.

The Lions haven’t registered a goal in the last two games though despite chances in both fixtures to do so.

A Look At Avro

Avro have had an excellent start to the campaign and sit in third place having won all six of their league games so far.

They are just three points off top spot which is currently being held by our former opponents Vauxhall Motors who have won all their seven league fixtures.

In those six games Avro have struck 15 goals without reply and named former Lion Steven Drench in goal for their 4-0 win at Longridge Town on Monday.

Managed by Alex Frost Avro are also yet to concede in the Emirates FA Cup after seeing off Irlam 4-0 and drawing 0-0 with Albion Sports in both games before winning a penalty shoot out at The Citadel.

Former Lion Dec Lambton saved three penalties for Emley though against Saturday’s opponents as they were knocked out of the Isuzu FA Vase with a shoot out loss on Friday night.

A Look At The Lions

Nat Crofts made his Lions debut on Monday and will be hoping for more minutes after an electric start to his time at Nethermoor.

Donald Chimalilo and Andy Kellett returned to the starting 11 as Luke Dean took up a place on the bench.

Ethen Vaughan missed Monday’s loss to Bamber Bridge through illness but will hopefully be ok for Saturday’s game in LS20.

What Are They Saying?

Speaking after Monday’s 1-0 loss Danny Ellis said “I thought Bamber Bridge managed the ball very well, they threw us a little bit playing Nathan Pond up top so early. The came here and played well, they hung in and defended like their lives depended on it in the last 20 minutes so on the whole they deserved to get something out of the game. We had a few chances but we have to be better and the lads know that.”

“As a back line I thought we defended well, we kept them relatively quiet, I am disappointed with the goal though, I thought it was clumsy. They had men in the box arriving late and three of them could have bundled it over the line. I am just disappointed, I thought we could have played a bit more and get on the ball more. We were a bit passive again which frustrates me as we have a pitch to play on but we revert to going long like it is the safe option.”

“I left Luke Dean out today because he had played every minute of every game pretty much and I didn’t want to flog him again today but he came on got hold of the ball, won fouls and got his body in. Nat Crofts came on and did well too, you saw his first run and what he is about he needs to get minutes. Adam Haw worked tirelessly too like he always does, I cannot fault the effort there was just moments in the game we looked off it and it is so disappointing as on another day we could have won that game or got a point out of it.”

“The Emirates FA Cup, especially for non league teams, is huge. Avro are coming here and not expecting to win but there’s loads of upsets in the FA Cup but hopefully we will bounce back from today’s defeat. It is an opportunity for some players to stamp their authority on the team and then we look to go up to South Shields on the Tuesday.”

“Avro are an awkward side, they have not conceded many goals and we are going to prep for it. We are not taking them lightly, the lads will be training this week but we look forward to Saturday and hopefully a better performance.”

“I have been struggling with my back and had a few head injuries at the back end of last season which I thought was a sign for me to slow down a little bit. As soon as my back is ok I will be pushing on in training and seeing where my body will get me to.”

Tickets for the game with Avro can be purchased at the turnstiles on the day with cash payment only or online in advance here. Don’t forget to pick up a matchday programme for just £3, it is packed full with exclusive content with what you will find inside here.