Witton Albion Reserves suffered their 3rd defeat in this years pre season program away going down 3-1 to East Levenshulme.
With the lack of changing facilities a major problem, the game kicked off half an hour late with Paul Jones ready to pull the game.
Witton started out much the brighter side with Bojan Karanlang going close on 2 occasions from latching onto balls from wide and central positions. Witton were moving the ball well on a very dry pitch but the bounce created problems in central midfield and within the back four.
25 minutes in and Witton are now under pressure from the counter attack with some strong running from midfield from the very impressive Levenshulme No.7. Against the run of play Witton were undone from a through ball with from midfield with the onrushing Ben Daniels unable to reach the ball before the No.9 who toe poked underneath the GK.
Witton were however back in the game 10 minutes later with Karanlang bursting through the defense only to be brought down inside the box. The striker cooly slotted home the penalty sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-1 half time.
7 changes at half time also saw a shape change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 with a number of New trialist’s taking the field.
Levenshulme were now afforded the space to attack now and they did so for much of the 1st period of the 2nd half Witton clearing off the line.
Witton were however creating more chances at the other end with trialist Andy Denton going close and young 16 year old striker Sam Steele hitting the left hand post on 2 occasions.
Levenshulme took the lead on 70 minutes winning a penalty from the very impressive No.7 who danced into the box surrounded by Witton players only to be brought down from 16 year old CB Harry Dulson who had been having a fine game up to this 1 error.
Levenshulme converted from the spot and soon went 3-1 up after poor positional play from the whole Witton team. With Energy levels now low Witton had several more chances to claw back the score only for their proligraphy in front of goal letting them down.
a good solid performance from the players and we are now beginning to understand the players and who we will work with for the season ahead. A number of players from the opposition have caught the eye and with the new trialists impressing at LB and ST we will look to strengthen the side before the season begins.
Paul Jones
Reserve Team Manager