WITNEY Town's big FA Cup tie against Conference high-fliers Stevenage could be put back 24 hours to Sunday, October 18 - because animal rights protesters are set to demonstrate against nearby Hillgrove Farm.

Police cordoned off an area surrounding the town when the last demonstration took place against the Minster Lovell farm where cats are bred for medical research.

And with similar measures likely to be taken for this latest protest on Saturday week, Witney's plum third qualifying round tie - which is expected to attract a bumper gate of up to 1,000 fans - could be caught up in the chaos.

Witney chairman Brian Constable has had talks with local police about putting the tie back a day, and now the matter has been referred to the chief inspector for a decision.

"It is a matter of whether the police feel there will be any interference," said Constable. "They normally close down half of Witney and divert traffic past the stadium, which is only on a county lane, and there could be a problem."

Meanwhile, Stevenage, no doubt taking a leaf from Newcastle following their FA Cup clash with the Magpies last year, have offered to stage the tie.

But Constable was quick to rule out that idea. "It definitely won't be switched to Stevenage," he said.

Witney manager Andy Lyne said: "It is something like Oxford United drawing Manchester United in relative terms. It is probably the biggest game I have been involved in for years."

Witney's impressive form -they are now unbeaten in nine games - has won them the Dr Martens League Southern Division's Safe Hands awards for September.

Goalkeeper Kevin Alder conceded just three goals in five leagues games during the month.

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