Mossley Reserves 2 v Witton Albion Reserves 0
Lancashire League Saturday 8 October 2011
Team: Reid (GK), A Bailey, Kenyon, Watkins, Jones, Woolley, Randle, Burgess, Swann, Carter, McGarry
Subs: Hindley ,N Bailey, Dorigo
Witton visited Mossley today with new GK signing Lewis Reid and Adam Bailey from the first team coming back from injury. Also involved with the squad today for their first time Nic Bailey and Luca Dorigo, Luca is also coming back from injury after an operation.
Witton continued to play with confidence as they have done in their previous games, taking control during the first period, playing attractive passing football. Randle and Burgess controlling the midfield. There were many highlights during the first period. Adam Bailey making a 75 yard run passing many Mossley players and finishing with a shot on goal. Jack Woolley continued to be a nuisance up front not giving the Mossley defence any peace.
Half time 0 - 0
The second period was simply about the little bits of detail, and that can be the difference sometimes between winning and losing. Mossley were awarded a penalty after Aron Kenyon pulled the shirt of a Mossley player in the box, and they scored from the resulting penalty . Another key moment was when Scott Thornton (first team player for Mossley) fell and had to leave the field with a dislocated shoulder. He had been pulling the strings for them. Witton seemed to get a boost from this, but chances were missed by Woolley, McGarry and others. On one of the few times that Mossley did attack a cross from the left was not dealt with by keeper Reid and Mossley went 2 - 0 up. Witton continued to attack and create chances but could not score.
The result does not reflect the performance. The team played very well and will continue to learn from such performances. However, Adam Bailey played full 90 mins but I feel he would benefit from more games to be ready to compete in the first team. Luca Dorigo impressed in his 30 mins having played his first football since February. MOM on the day goes to both Randle and 17 year old Burgess.
If we had not given away the penalty, if our keeper had come and dealt with a cross in his box, if we had put our chances away - we would have won…‘little bits of detail’.
Looking ahead to our next fixture Workington 15 October. I would like to thank those so far who have given donations to help with the cost of the minibus. This is what makes Witton a very special club, when we all pull together and work as a team.
Thank you!
Tony and Shaun