F.A. Carlsberg Trophy 1st Qualifying Round - Saturday October 20th 2007
WITTON ALBION 6 ASHTON UNITED 1
TEAM: Kennedy; Coo, Pritchard, Barras (Kearney 43), Brownhill; Peers (Craven 62), Lloyd (Dillon H/T), MacPherson, Brodie; Warlow, Thornley. Other subs Crowe & Spearritt
Man of Match: Rod Thornley
Witton maintained the habit of punishing Ashton in F.A. Competitions by scoring six times for the fourth time in all four ties played between the old foes. In addition this was the first time Albion had scored more than 5 times in a F.A. Trophy tie and along the way they were also this round’s top scorers. Meanwhile Ashton previously hadn’t conceded more than 5 goals in a previous FA Trophy tie.
On 11 minutes Dave MacPherson laid the ball right to Mark Peers who glanced up and spotted ROD THORNLEY, outside the far post, with the striker, recently returned from Russia following his International masseur role, prodding the ball past Damien Rooney.
Rob Lloyd tested Rooney shortly afterwards from distance with the keeper holding onto the ball high up. Ashton’s Matty O’Neill found good space in the 16th minute and was somewhat unlucky when his shot was deflected onto the angle and out for a corner-kick. At the other end Peers somewhat spurned a good opportunity when with lots of space still available to take the ball closer, he blasted his shot over the target whilst an Adam Warlow header, following Peers’ corner-kick, was just off target.
ROD THORNLEY doubled the lead in the 21st minute when Warlow headed on a long clearance from Brian Pritchard with the striker this time lobbing over the advancing Rooney. Three minutes later Tommy Taylor got too much under the ball, following O’Neill’s cross from the right, with his headed attempt sailing over the bar.
The tie was virtually settled three minutes before the interval. This time Thornley turned provider laying the ball into MARK PEERS’ path and even though Rooney seemed to have the shot covered there was enough power on the shot to send it through the keeper’s arms. Slightly worrying then was to see Tony Barras leave the field but in Ian Kearney, as we saw on Tuesday, Albion possess riches in abundance.
Half time saw Witton use a second substitute with John Dillon taking over from Rob Lloyd who was deserving of a bit of a rest. Jon Kennedy was called into action shortly after the restart but he comfortably dealt with a 25 yard driven O’Neill free-kick. Albion extended their lead in the 51st minute when Steve Brodie, on the wide left, advanced before cutting in along the left by-line before crossing perfectly to the in-rushing ADAM WARLOW who volleyed home from a central position.
Six minutes later MARK PEERS left two defenders tackling fresh air before sending a low shot that went under Rooney’s body to make it 5-0. Whether Jim Vince was feeling sorry for the rocked opponents I’m not too sure but Dean Craven, presumably recovered from his honeymoon, replaced our flying winger.
Witton didn’t let up just yet though and from John Dillon’s left side flag-kick BRIAN PRITCHARD rose perfectly to score Albion’s 6th by heading powerfully home in the 74th minute.
As Witton took their foot off the pedal the visitors, to their credit, won a corner with five minutes remaining and substitute Neil Chappell, who’d had a three match spell with Witton two season’s back, got in well unchecked at the near post to head past Kennedy.
All in all though a good day at the office, quality goals again, no cautions and £1,500 prize money as we go into Monday’s draw for the next round on November 3rd.