Witton begin the new year with the relatively short trip to Market Drayton Town in an Evo-Stik Division One South fixture. The fixture is only the fourth meeting between the two clubs and the second in Shropshire. Market Drayton won the only previous encounter played at The Greenfields Sports Ground, back in 2009 by the odd goal in three, where current Player Manager Martyn Davies stunning strike decided the game in their favour. Witton have prevailed in both home meetings between the two and will be hoping to complete the double over their hosts this afternoon following a 3-1 success at The NetDec Stadium back in August where they found Drayton keeper Ashley Rawlins in inspired form but still managed to get the better of him in the end. Their results have been mixed so far this season, having lost eight times from a dozen games in front of their own fans but, they did pick up an excellent win away at Romulus over the holiday period. Witton will be looking to continue their impressive away form but they will face a tough examination. Kick off at the Greenfields Sports Ground is 3pm.
Directions: A530/A51/A529. From Middlewich follow A530 to Nantwich, then join A51 Nantwich bypass. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Nantwich Bypass/A51 conline for 1 mile.
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on Nantwich Bypass/A51 for 0.6 miles.
At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Newcastle Rd/A51 continue for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Elwood Way/A51and carry on for 0.2 miles. Turn left onto London Road/A51 and continue for 1 mile. Turn right onto First Dig Lane and follow for 0.3 miles. Turn left onto Broad Lane/A529 and follow for 4.7 miles. Continue straight onto The Square /A529. After 85ft turn right onto Shropshire Street/A525. Continue to follow A525 for 0.1 mile. Turn left onto Green Lane/A529 and follow for 5.8 miles. At roundabout, take 3rd exit onto Adderley Road/A529 and continue for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Greenfields Lane and continue for 0.3 miles to Greenfields Sports Ground.
Parking: There is a Car Park opposite the stadium.
Admission Prices: Adults £8, Concessions £5, Under 16’s Free.
Matchday Programme: £2.
Social Club: The Social Club is outside the stadium.
Refreshments: The Tea Bar is inside the stadium.
Travel Information: There are 17 seats available on the Team Coach - departing from The NetDec Stadium at 12noon. Cost - £5. Please contact Graham Crouch for further details or leave your names on here in the section marked "Away Travel " and I will forward them on.
Additional Information: Market Drayton are offering free admission to the game for Great Grandparents who attend the game with their Great Grandchildren on production of their Birth Certificates.
A win today boys please, give us a great start to the New Year. I am off to the Panto with my youngest grandson in half an hour so will not even be able to follow the game on here so best of luck and “ONWARD AND UPWARDS”.
WHS.
Looks like another referee cowed to health and safety rules and not willing to take any risk whatsoever - leaves us with yet another Tuesday game to play - only one or two free Tuesdays now til the end of the season.
Their was no risk to be taken the ref was an idiot with no gumption or common sense, all players manager and chairmen wanted to play it. Market Drayton should have sorted the tiny area that was the referees concern a small strip near the goal line even that you could put a fork in easily- Im just about sick of officials in football.
Best be safe than sorry, how would we have felt if say Gards and Roberts got injured?
Did the ref say it was on at the 11am inspection or did he say he would have to check at 2.30? And was it the same ref? I’m confused as to how this inspection works
Isn’t it about time we had a winter break? Mind you it wouldn’t leave any time off for the players to enjoy a summer holiday
My understanding is that a local referee inspected the pitch at 11.15 and passed it although the staff were still working on it and continued to do so. The match referee was expected around 1pm and kept looking until he finally made the decision to postpone it.
Refs are killing us .went kiddsgrove pitch was white all over but game on.market drayton had a small patch in goal mouth which forked ok ref just didnt want play so more back log
Made the trip to Market Drayton today to watch a sport new to me, Pitch Inspecting and must say I quite enjoyed it.There were forks being thrust into the ground, officials took it in turns to dig their heels into it, to excited mumblings from the surprisingly large crowd. The tension rose as match and club officials got into a huddle before leaving the pitch to discuss their next move. All eyes were fixed on the portacabin door, all pie eating and tea slurping was put on hold, then YES! the officials ambled back into view, performed a beautifully executed cluster. Crowd now agog with the splendour of this magnificent display.Is it on, is it off, will they go for another portacabin move.O joy of joys they did just that, how much more excitement can this group deliver. Unfortunately that was to be their final act of this thrill packed afternoon, as word spread that there was to be no football played this afternoon and they had to get home, and were not signing any autographs for any of their multitude of distraught fans. Emotionly drained I too decided to exit the arena and much to my surprise was given my money back. I began to strongly protest explaining to the gateman what a treat the officials had served up and how I would have gladly paid much more for my action packed introduction to Pitch Inspection. No more football matches for me. I think I,m now hooked and can’t wait for my next one.
Having watched some of the woeful decisions given by officials in the Premier League this week I now realise that if they are the best what we get have to be absolute idiots.
WHS.
