Big guns look out for giant killers; NWCL.

Byline: ALAN BARTLAM

THE WORLD'S greatest cup competition, the FA Cup, dominates football at the NWCL level this weekend.

And after the shocks suffered last Saturday in the extra preliminary round, when both Prescot and St Helens bit the dust, the likes of Skelmersdale United and Warrington Town will be doubly wary going into their ties against outfits from the north east this afternoon.

Fortunately, both clubs have home advantage in the Axasponsored competition.

Skem play host to Jarrow, while renowned cup battlers Warrington take on Ashington at Cantilever Park.

The latter tie could well see former Prescot player Aiden Warner finally making his debut for the home side, having been struggling with an injury, but the youngsters who have come in have done Town manager Alan Blair proud, winning three of their opening four League games on their return to the top division.

"Seven of the side are still under 21 and I've been delighted with them all, " stated Blair. "It's still a learning curve for us, but with the money available for progressing in the FA Cup, this is an even bigger thing for us than it has been in the past."

LEAGUE FIXTURES: Abbey Hey v St Helens Town; Clitheroe v Prescot Cables; Formby v Ashton Town; Norton United v Bootle.