Padiham

MIKE Moseley has warned Witton’s players they risk losing their place in the team if pre-season performances do not improve.

Albion’s assistant manager told the Guardian nobody should think they are certain to feature at Buxton on the season’s opening day after a disappointing defeat against Padiham last night, Tuesday.

Martin Trickett’s well-taken double sealed a 2-0 win for the North West Counties League champions.

“We have to do much better,” said Moseley afterwards.

“There was a lot wrong with what we saw, and individuals need to step their game. Perhaps one or two think they don’t have to deliver and are taking it easy.

“They might be in for a surprise if that continues.”

Witton fell behind on the quarter hour when Trickett broke clear as the hosts’ defence attempted to catch him offside.

The Padiham forward kept cool, sliding the ball past goalkeeper Matt Cooper as he rushed off his line to open the scoring via an upright.

A familiar face – Albion net-minder Stuart Plant – played between the posts at the other end as a favour to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League newcomers, shorn of injured first choice Sean Davis.

He ought to have been beaten when trialist Jon Dawson traded passes with Neville Thompson, the former dragging his shot wide when well-placed.

Plant was at full stretch to parry Thompson’s thumped attempt before Padiham added to their advantage when Trickett rammed a rising shot past Cooper after again piercing the home team’s backline.

Albion boss Brian Pritchard mad five interval changes that heightened – at least briefly – his side’s attacking threat.

Substitute Anthony Sheehan was unlucky to see his dipping shot helped onto the crossbar by Plant, who saved his best stop until midway through the second half when diverting with his fingertips Danny Andrews’ arced attempt.

When he was beaten, Michael Powell’s close range effort was smuggled off the line by Tom Bradley’s spectacular diving header.

Moseley concluded: “We were poor going forward, perhaps because we chopped and changed more in the final third.

“In the first half we looked like a team of players who did not know each other, which made things disjointed.

“Our pre-season as a whole hasn’t got going yet, partly because the team has been so unsettled.

“The next three games will be important to start settling things down ready for the first game of the campaign.”

With the season nearly upon us I think it is time to stop “tinkering” and making half a dozen substitutions and put out the side Mr. Pritchard thinks is his best XI and let them settle down together ready for that all important first game. The cruciall cup ties arrive soon after so it is vital we have our side settled by then. I believe we play far too many pre-season games, two games is plenty to see whether a new player is up to it or not so 5 games would have been ample in my opinion and one of them could have been "Defence V Attack with trialists making up the numbers. Okay, I am ready for the “flak” Robbo and Jonnyamery!!
WHS.

I think the friendlys are important. It gives the first team the chance to regain their fitness and sharpness.
For me only one or two of the trialists have stood out So I’m not too sure why there is still so much “tinkering” but pritch must see something in them otherwise they’d be down the road!

I trust Mr Pritchard to sign the right players, he knows a footballer when he sees one but I do think now is the time to settle on our team for the coming season.
WHS.

We seem inbalanced to me short of defenders and strikers way too many midfielders, biggest concern for me is complete lack of pace in the the strike force ( minus Tuck and I dont know what will happen there ? ) I have not seen yet one player brought in that will improve the side from last seasons squad, we have lost Matty and maybe Tuck probably our two quickest players, hope Pritch has something up his sleeve there is no doubt he and Mike will be working hard on it.though, lets hope we settle down for the next three friendlies I have not really enjoyed the ones so far way too much changing- I agree it would be better to have a couple of behind closed doors trials to chop out the ones not up to the mark.

I suppose it is as much to do with finance as anything else why we play these friendlies, they must bring in a few bob that is sorely needed. Speed of though is as useful as simple speed of foot and I think we have that in many of our players.
WHS.