WITTON Albion fans could be forgiven for a quizzical look when they read the name of this weekend’s FA Cup opponents following last month’s draw.

After all, the teams have never met previously.

They will do so in a first qualifying round encounter at Wincham Park on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Here is what supporters of the host club need to know about their favourites’ foes:

What league do they play in and how are they getting on?

Bottesford Town are members of the Northern Counties East League’s Premier Division, which is two levels below the one Carl Macauley’s men operate at.

They sit 15th in the table, but that is misleading given they have played more matches in FA competitions so far.

That included a midweek replay in an FA Vase first qualifying round encounter with Leicester Road which they won thanks to Lewis Bemrose’s late goal.

How have they reached this stage?

The Scunthorpe-based side has already prevailed in two ties during this season’s competition, banking more than £5,000 in prize money.

They brushed aside Radford (3-1) in the extra preliminary round before eliminating higher-ranked Loughborough Dynamo, of the Northern Premier League’s East Division, next time out.

Jack McMenemy, their leading-scorer this season with six goals, netted twice for Bottesford in a 4-2 victory a fortnight ago.

What is the furthest they have gone in the FA Cup?

This is only their ninth appearance, and they have never reached the second qualifying round.

Bottesford lost 1-0 against Shildon at this stage last season, and bowed out following a 3-0 defeat against Buxton when they made it this far for the first time in 2010.

The Poachers’ away record in the FA Cup is respectable; they’ve won three of seven matches on the road, drew one and been beaten in the others.

However they have never triumphed against an opponent ranked two divisions above.

And if it’s a draw?

A replay will follow next Wednesday, September 12, kick-off 7.45pm.

Bottesford play at the Birkdale Stadium which is a short distance from Scunthorpe – and 120 miles from Wincham Park – in North Lincolnshire.

It can accommodate up to 1,000 spectators, although their average attendance in home games so far this season is just 60 – the lowest figure of clubs in the Northern Counties East League’s top-flight.

Any links to mid Cheshire?

Surprisingly, there is.

Ben Chapman, a left-back, was part of a Northwich Victoria side that reached the FA Cup third round in 2007 - when they met then Premier League side Sunderland - and helped Vics to win the Conference North title the same season.

He played for Bottesford later, and is now assistant manager at Armthorpe Welfare.

Meanwhile midfielder Terry Barwick joined Vics early in the following campaign after leaving Grimsby Town.

His spell at Bottesford ended last summer when he departed for Goole, who he coincidentally played against on Tuesday night for current club Bridlington.