EVEN if his move had been completed in time for Saturday, new striker Gregg Blundell would have been cup-tied, so Keith Alexander is likely to name the same team which took on Hereford on Saturday.

The Northwich boss is wary that the tables could be turned as his Vics side, 15th in the Conference, goes to Maltock Town 15th in UniBond Division One, in the third round of the FA Umbro Trophy.

After victory over Second Division Bury and two draws over 90 minutes with Leyton Orient over 90 minutes, Alexander knows the potential pitfalls presented by a side two divisions below Vics.

"It's the same as when we play teams two divisions above us, it's a banana skin," he said. "They have won their last three games and that makes it difficult for us. If we approach the game in the right manner, we'll get a result, if we don't we'll get beat."

Matlock made a terrible start to the season, but Causeway Lane is becoming something of a fortress. Town have won their last three league games there, scoring three goals on each occasion.

For Northwich, it could be the first stop on the road to Villa Park, which has been chosen as the venue for this season's FA Trophy final, to be played on Sunday, May 13.

A coach for Matlock will leave the Drill Field at 11.30am on Saturday, and a coach will also be going to Rushden and Diamonds for the Nationwide Conference a week on Saturday.

Contact the club on 41450 for details.