Witton team news & latest score updates will appear here as and when they become available.
Witton team:
Greg Hall, George Nugent, Isaac Baldwin, Trialist A, Rob Hopley, Trialist B, Jawad Jebrin, Tom Owens, Will Jones, Trialist C, Trialist D.
Subs: Nick Ryan, James Hooper, Trialist E, Raajan Gill.
Linnets have three former Albion players in their squad. James Short starts with Alastair Brown & MJ Monaghan on the bench.
Chance for Witton on 20 minutes as Will Jones wins a header above the goalkeeper, the ball falling to Trialist striker whose effort is cleared off the line.
Good save by Greg Hall in the Albion goal on 35 minutes to turn a long-range Linnets effort around the post.
Attendance: 277.
Half Time Score from Millbank Linnets Stadium:
Runcorn Linnets 0 Witton Albion 0.
A game of few chances so far, Albion with the best of them though with an effort cleared off the line.
Witton Substitutions:
Greg Hall replaced by Raajn Gill on 46 minutes.
Trialist D replaced by Trialist on 46 minutes.
Will Jones replaced by Nicky Ryan on 46 minutes.
GOAL
Latest Score from Millbank Linnets Stadium:
Runcorn Linnets 1 Witton Albion 0.
Iwan Murray gives Linnets the lead on 50 minutes cutting in and finishing with an excellent strike from 20 yards past Witton substitute keeper Raajan Gill.
GOAL
Latest Score from Millbank Linnets Stadium:
Runcorn Linnets 2 Witton Albion 0.
Iwan Murray gets his second of the afternoon on 56 minutes with a cheeky chip over Raajan Gill in the Albion goal.
Witton Substitution:
Tom Owens replaced by James Hooper on 63 minutes.
Good save by Raajan Gill in the Albion goal on 70 minutes to deny Iwan Murray a hat trick for the hosts.
Good save by Albion keeper Raajan Gill again from a shot from 18 yards on 78 minutes.
Full Time Score from Millbank Linnets Stadium:
Runcorn Linnets 2 Witton Albion 0.
Overall pretty disappointing display, didn’t defend well and created very little from midfield and attack was punchless. A couple of the trialists did ok at times but Wardle, McNulty, and Foley walk straight back into the team when fit plus we have Smart and McKenna out. Hearing that Smart might be out for a good while unfortunately. So still work to do for the mgr, maybe 3 good players needed to be competetive in our league UTA
I believe Wardle & Foley took part in the warm up & McKenna was suffering from a few bumps and bruises from the Vics game. As for Billy Smart I’ve heard it could be a long term knee iinjury, also has Will Booth left the club? as I’ve not heard his name mentioned or seen him involved in any games.
Yes Wardle and Foley were on the pitch training and might be close! Smart is waiting for specialist but he was there and was walking ok but fears for an acl injury. Let’s hope for much better news! Good point on Booth, not heard a word about him either maybe cannot get fully fit after his injury?