Worcester sauce to spice up crowd?

Given that Worcester are one of the favourites for promotion, the fixture is one of the most attractive at Watnall Road all season.

They are one of six southern-based clubs to have transferred to the northern section of the non-league 'pyramid' for the purposes of the Nationwide Conference North.

Last season, Worcester finished fifth in the Dr Martens League, Premier Division and although they finished 21 points behind champions Crawley Town, they were top of the table themselves at one stage.

They have yet to lose in their opening four games of the new campaign, having drawn with Hinckley United and Barrow and beaten Redditch United. and Moor Green

Managed by former Everton full-back John Barton, Worcester boast several well-known players, most notably former Notts County midfielder Colin Hoyle and striker Leon Kelly, a one-time target of Town when John Ramshaw was manager.

The club have also been responsible for launching the careers of several professionals, including former Nottingham Forest full-back Des Lyttle and ex-Derby County striker Roger Davies.

Before Monday's clash, Town travel tomorrow to meet Lancaster City, who finished seven places and 26 points behind them in the Unibond League, Premier Division last season but who were one of the few sides to beat them – 3-1 almost exactly 12 months ago.

TOWN'S under-19 side have returned from a successful pre-season tour of Finland, where their manager, Mark Nangle, played professionally in the 1990s.

Nangle says he was delighted with the team's form, which saw them win two of their three games, 1-0 and 4-2, and lose the other, 1-0 (SEE NEXT WEEK'S DISPATCH FOR FULL MATCH REPORTS).

They begin their new season in the Northern Youth Alliance next month when they also launch another bid for FA Youth Cup glory.