Atherton Collieries v. Witton Albion

Witton are on the road again on Saturday when they travel to Atherton Collieries in a Northern Premier League West Division fixture.

Ahead of the current season, Colls were considered to be one of the fancied teams to challenge for the title, after adding to their squad.

A number of additions from Wythenshawe Town meant they had competition for places in a number of areas on the pitch.

Results haven’t followed as they had hoped as like Witton they struggle for consistency.

The reverse fixture saw the Lancashire club take the points at the U Lock It Stadium earlier in the season, winning comfortably by three goals to nil, all the goals coming in the last half an hour.

Witton’s cause wasn’t helped by Joe Duckworth’s failure to convert from the spot.

Witton’s last visit to Atherton saw them take the points with the help of a Joe Duckworth brace and they will be hoping for a similar outcome this time around.

Atherton Collieries sit one place above Witton in the table, with three points separating the two but Albion have a game in hand.

Daniel Lafferty’s charges are going through a difficult run at present, having lost five of their last seven league games so Witton will be looking to extend that run a bit longer.

Following a mini run where Witton scored goals a plenty, they have drawn a blank in their last two games so will be hoping to address that but Colls will provide a difficult test for them.

Our opponents have added to their squad in recent days with the acquisition of defender Sam Olawumi from Clitheroe who add strength to their back line.

Kick off at the Dreams2Reality Stadium is 3pm.

ATHERTON COLLIERIES FC,
THE DREAMS2REALITY STADIUM,
ALDER STREET,
ATHERTON,
GREATER MANCHESTER,
M46 9EY.

Directions: Merge onto M6 and follow for 11.6 miles. Leave the M6 at junction 22, take the A579/A49 exit to Newton/Leigh contine for 0.2 miles. At Winwick Interchange, take the 3rd exit onto Winwick Lane/A579 follow for 1.9 miles. Turn right onto Newton Road/A572 continue for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto East Lancashire Road/A580 continue for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto A579 and follow for 1.4 miles. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Atherleigh Way/A579 and follow for 2.4 miles. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Wigan Road/A577. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on Wigan Road/A577. After 0.1 miles turn left onto Mealhouse Lane/A577 and continue for 0.4 miles. Continue onto Church Street/A579 and follow for 0.1 miles. Sharp right onto High Street and follow for 0.1 miles. Turn left onto Alder Street - football stadium on the right after 423 ft. (Total Distance - 28.8 miles).

Parking: The Car Park is next to the ground.

Admission is by way of Card & cash payments at the turnstiles.

Admission Prices: Adults £10, Concessions £7, Under 18’s £4, Accompanied Under 11’s Admitted FREE.

Matchday Programme: £2.

Social Club: The Social Club is on the side of the ground and will be open from 1pm. Please note: Alcohol is permitted inside the stadium but MUST be in a plastic beaker.

Refreshments: The Tea Bar is next to the Social Club.

Toilets: There are toilet facilities including wheelchair accessible facilities near to the Social Club.

A nice trip out to Atherton looks good but which Witton will turn up is the big question.

I’ve given up trying to predict results lol but team wise I would like to see

Terry

Walls, Ebhote, Bembo-Leta, Damola Sotona

Deji Sotona, Lawrie, Bairstow, Edwards.

Duckworth, Garbutt.

Could easily put Hoyle in there but not at his best just now imo and like to see Sotona have a run!

But good luck lads. UTA

Match commentary will be available on https://radio-witton.mixlr.com with Iain Wright and the team from 2.45pm

Match updates will be available on X @WittonAlbion and also on here as and when they become available.

Witton team news & latest score updates will appear here as and when they become available.

Team news: Witton make two changes to the starting line-up that drew at Mossley last weekend. Jack Walls and Joe Duckworth both start in place of Joe Edwards and Aaron Fleming who drop down to the bench. Harry Woods is not involved.

Witton team:

Cameron Terry, Jack Walls, Joel Bembo-Leta, James Lawrie, Geffry Ebhote, Damola Sotona, Ben Lowe, Alfie Bairstow, Joe Duckworth, Freddy Garbutt, Tom Hoyle.

Subs: Aaron Fleming, Deji Sotona, Joe Edwards, Adam Bott, Harry Brazel.

Yellow card:

Atherton Collieries Calen Gallagher-Allison on 7 minutes.

Latest Score from The Dreams2Reality Stadium:

Atherton Collieries 0 Witton Albion 0.

10 minutes played.

Colls keeper Matthew Corran saves to prevent Albion going in front on 16 minutes.

Luke Partington has the ball in the Albion net on 18 minutes but it’s ruled out for offside.

20 minutes played - Still goalless.

GOAL

Latest Score from The Dreams2Reality Stadium:

Atherton Collieries 1 Witton Albion 0.

Colls lead on 22 minutes through a Jack Walls own goal - the assistant initially flagged for offside but the goal was awarded.

Yellow cards:

Atherton Collieries Player Manager Danny Lafferty on 23 minutes.

Witton’s Manager Ben Harrison on 23 minutes.

GOAL

Latest Score from The Dreams2Reality Stadium:

Atherton Collieries 2 Witton Albion 0.

Harry Showman doubles Atherton’d lead on 26 minutes.

40 minutes played - Colls still lead 2-0.

Half Time Score from The Dreams2Reality Stadium:

Atherton Collieries 2 Witton Albion 0.

55 minutes played - Atherton Collieries still lead 2-0.

Witton Substitution:

Ben Lowe replaced by Joe Edwards on 60 minutes.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Jack Walls on 62 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

Joe Duckworth replaced by Deji Sotona on 63 minutes.

Latest Score from The Dreams2Reality Stadium:

Atherton Collieries 2 Witton Albion 0.

70 minutes played.

Yellow card:

Atherton Collieries Harry Showman on 72 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

Damola Sotona replaced by Aaron Fleming on 72 minutes.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The Dreams2Reality Stadium:

Atherton Collieries 2 Witton Albion 1.

Jack Walls pulls a goal back for the Albion on 78 minutes with a shot from 30 yards through a crowded area - his first for the club.