WARRINGTON Rylands 1906 have issued a statement confirming Saturday's televised FA Cup second qualifying round tie against York City at Gorsey Lane will go ahead with spectators in attendance.

The Government's position this morning while announcing a tightening of Covid restrictions for Warrington and other areas of the north west is that supporters are advised not to attend amateur and semi-professional sports matches, though it is not law.

Rylands' statement reads: "We have carefully considered today’s restrictions announced by the Government, and after dialogue with relevant authorities, Warrington Rylands FC can confirm that The Emirates FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying Match with York City is currently going ahead with spectators in attendance.

"We have enacted considerable measures to ensure that our Gorsey Lane ground is ‘COVID-19 Secure’ and the welfare of Players, Staff & Supporters is protected. Our preparations continue for Saturday’s historic game for the Club."

Capacity is limited to 300 due to Covid-19 restrictions placed upon clubs at Step 5 of the National League System.

And only home spectators are allowed, as per FA guideline for ties against an elite opponent - as National League North team York are considered to be.

The fixture, a real David versus Goliath affair, is also all-ticket and sold out.

For Dave McNabb’s team, who are now playing at the highest level in the club's history in the North West Counties League Premier Division, this is a plum tie and one of the biggest occasions Gorsey Lane has seen with the BBC cameras also coming to town.

Former Football League side York are one-time semi-finalists in the FA Cup, playing at a level in effect three promotions above the Blues.

McNabb’s men are on a great adventure and looking forward to testing themselves against a side managed by former Newcastle, Aston Villa, Everton and West Bromwich Albion right-back Steve Watson, who just happens to have been on the books of agent and Rylands benefactor Paul Stretford during his playing days.

The tie will be shown on BBC iPlayer, Red Button and BBC Sport online.

The Minstermen will be visiting knowing they are in for a hard time.

In the last round there were setbacks aplenty for Rylands to overcome, including missing a penalty and conceding an injury-time equaliser at Whitby Town – a team ranked two divisions higher than them – but Warrington Rylands still prevailed.

McNabb’s men held their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 4-3.

They had also knocked out Clitheroe and 1874 Northwich in earlier rounds to get this far.