Kidsgrove Athletic v. Witton Albion

Witton complete a run of four successive away games when they travel to Kidsgrove Athletic in a Northern Premier League West Division fixture.

They need to bounce back after a disappointing defeat at Wythenshawe Town on Saturday, but face a difficult challenge in Staffordshire.

Kidsgrove go into the game in eleventh place in the table following a 4-2 win against Trafford at the weekend.

A five point gap exists between the two teams going into another important fixture so Witton will be looking to make sure that doesn’t become wider.

Kidsgrove’s last four home games have seen two wins, one draw and a defeat, Stafford Rangers being the only visiting team to win at the Fitzjohn Stadium so far this season.

During that time, Witton’s last four away league games have seen one win, one draw and two defeats.

Some of the injuries within the Witton squad are clearing up, allowing the management team more options to choose from and the recent signing of defender Ben Dufton-Kelly from Bootle has added to the competition for places.

Kidsgrove are now under the guidance of joint managers Matt Rhead and former Albion striker Tom Pope, so they will be looking to get the right result.

Last season’s meetings saw Kidsgrove win comfortably at home 4-0, whilst Witton edged the return at the U Lock It Stadium by the odd goal in three courtesy of goals from James Lawrie and James Hooper.

Witton will be hoping to widen the gap between themselves and the bottom teams in the table but they will need to perform in order to get anything from the game.

Kick off at the Fitzjohn Stadium is 7.45pm

KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC FC,
FITZJOHN STADIUM,
HOLLINWOOD ROAD,
KIDSGROVE,
STAFFORDSHIRE,
ST7 1DQ.

Directions: Merge onto M6 and follow for 9.0 miles. At junction 16, take the A500 exit to Newcastle-under-Lyme/Stoke-on-Trent(North)/Crewe/Nantwich and continue for 0.3 miles. At Bartomley Interchange, take the 1st exit onto A500 and follow for 3.3 miles. Take the A34 slip road to Newcastle-under-Lyme/Congleton and continue for 0.1 miles. At Talke Interchange, take the 2nd exit onto Newcastle Road/A34 and follow for 1.4 miles. Turn right onto Congleton Road/A34 and continue for 0.1 miles. Turn right onto St Saviour’s Street and follow for 0.1 miles. Continue onto Mitchell Drive and continue for 0.1 miles. Turn right onto Mitchell Avenue and continue for 0.1 miles. Turn left onto Lower Ash Road and continue forward for 417 ft. Turn right onto Hollinwood Road and continue forward for 476 ft. Turn left to stay on Hollinwood Road and continue for 167 ft to football stadium. (Total Distance - 22.2 miles).

Parking: Parking at the stadium is limited. There is parking available in the surrounding streets but please park respectfully of the local residents.

Admission is by way of Card or cash payments at the turnstiles. Card payments are accepted anywhere inside the stadium.

Admission Prices: Adults: £10, Concessions: £6, 12-16 Year Olds: £4, Under 12’s: Admitted FREE.

Matchday Programme: £2.

Social Club: The Social Club is inside the stadium. Please note: Alcohol purchased within the social club is permitted inside the stadium but MUST be in a plastic beaker.

Refreshments: The Tea Bar is next to the main stand.

Toilet Facilities: There are toilet facilities outside the social club near to the changing rooms including wheelchair accessible toilet facilities.

It’s still a bit raw to be looking forward to this game after yesterday’s display but the matches keep coming.

I think I would try something a bit different maybe 4 3 1 2

Terry

Farrall, Ebhote, Bembo-Leta, Fleming

Edwards, Bairstow, Brazel

Harrop

Hoyle, Garbutt

It’s not ideal as Fleming’s not a great full back better as a wing back but the only left footed player we have.

Harrop would play in an area where his skills could be used. Got to see something new because this 4 3 3 isn’t working, even try a 4 4 2 but we don’t have a decent left winger?

Just shows our recruitment isn’t great.

Full match commentary will be available with Iain Wright on https://radio-witton.mixlr.com from 7.30pm

Match updates will appear on X @WittonAlbion and will also be available 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 three changes to the starting line-up beaten at Wythenshawe Town on Saturday. Tom Farrall, James Lawrie & Joel Bembo-Leta all start. Adam Bott drops down to the bench whilst Josh Langley, Ben Dufton-Kelly, Max Harrop & Harry Woods are not involved. Jack Tierney and Jack Hill come into the squad.

Witton team:

Cameron Terry, Tom Farrall, Aaron Fleming, James Lawrie, Joel Bembo-Leta, Geffry Ebhote, Jeanny Akpo, Alfie Bairstow, Tom Hoyle, Harry Brazel, Joe Duckworth.

Subs: Adam Bott, Freddy Garbutt, Joe Edwards, Jack Tierney, Jack Hill.

Latest Score from Fitzjohn Stadium:

Kidsgrove Athletic 0 Witton Albion 0.

10 minutes played.

20 minutes played - Still goalless.

Latest Score from Fitzjohn Stadium:

Kidsgrove Athletic 0 Witton Albion 0.

30 minutes played.

Yellow card:

Kidsgrove Athletic’s Jack Bromfield on 43 minutes.

Half Time Score from Fitzjohn Stadium:

Kidsgrove Athletic 0 Witton Albion 0.

55 minutes played - still Kidsgrove Athletic 0 Witton Albion 0.

Latest Score from Fitzjohn Stadium:

Kidsgrove Athletic 0 Witton Albion 0.

65 minutes played.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from Fitzjohn Stadium:

Kidsgrove Athletic 0 Witton Albion 1.

Tom Hoyle puts the Albion ahead on 72 minutes with his seventh goal of the season.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Aaron Fleming on 73 minutes.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Tom Farrall on 78 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

Jeanny Akpo replaced by Freddy Garbutt on 79 minutes.

GOAL

Latest Score from Fitzjohn Stadium:

Kidsgrove Athletic 1 Witton Albion 1.

Jack Bromfield equalises for Kidsgrove on 80 minutes.

Yellow card:

Witton’s James Lawrie on 85 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

Tom Hoyle replaced by Joe Edwards on 90 minutes.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Joe Edwards on 90+4 minutes.

Full Time Score from Fitzjohn Stadium:

Kidsgrove Athletic 1 Witton Albion 1.

Tonight’s Attendance: 204.

Witton return to the U Lock It Stadium on Saturday when they welcome Clitheroe in a Northern Premier League West Division fixture with a 3pm kick off.

A much better display, the shape and back 4 were more solid than recent games.

I like Lawrie in the holding role and Akpo playing wide left was good, caused them issues but delivery could be better and Bairstow and Brazel were good in energy and creating.

Deserved our goal after great work by Bairstow putting a great cross for Hoyle to finish off. Held out pretty well then until Kidsgrove brought on Rhead and immediately went hoof ball and it unsettled us!

Then the pretty poor ref invented a free kick in a dangerous area and they managed to equalise from close range, overall a fair result.

Would like to see us keep the shape for Saturday for some consistency now and ease Edwards and Garbutt back in as we need too.

Where was Harry Woods last night was hoping to see a bit more of him after his Vauxhall cameo. UTA

Disappointing to hear that Billy Jones is going to be long-term with no indication of his expected return.