ROSS Speight has told his Middlewich players remember what they have done well ahead of this Saturday’s Cheshire FA Amateur Cup quarter final against Sandbach United.

He will ask them to repeat those things that have contributed to an eight-match unbeaten run, including seven wins, rather than worry about their higher-ranked opponents.

“We’re the underdogs, so can play with zero pressure,” said the Witches’ co-manager.

“It’s a big game, but the two things we’ll insist on is that the lads work hard and enjoy the occasion.

“After that, let’s see what happens.

“Both teams have been kicking their heels because so many games have been postponed, so in some ways we’re back at square one.

“It’s the same for them too.”

Middlewich have reached the last eight on three previous occasions, most recently in 2011 when they lost 2-0 at home to West Kirby.

Never have they played in a semi final.

Speight said: “That’s an incentive, but our focus is on treating it like any other game.

“I’ve found from experience that the moment you start changing things, particularly in terms of preparation, then it can end up putting more pressure on players.

“We’ll not worry too much about what they might do, instead we should remember what’s worked for us in recent months.”

Town drew 4-4 with neighbours Cuddington in the JA Walton Challenge Cup on Saturday, their first competitive match since a 5-0 win at Pilkington in November.

They will be boosted by the return of Dean Burgess following a suspension, although Speight told the Guardian that ‘two or three’ others are doubts because of injury.

He added: “We’d have preferred to carry on playing because we were in good form, but there’s nothing we can do about the weather – it’s just one of those things."

“We’ve still been training though, so have kept the lads together.”

Kick off at Seddon Street on Saturday is 1.30pm.