Witton faced league new boys Wharton in a game that marked the return to action of last season’s top scorer and Manager Tom Green and the debut for the Albion’s new blue away kit. However, the Albion stumbled to a draw despite being the better side for long periods.
Witton had the better of the opening exchanges with Carter and Chadwick combining to set up Marshall who fired a well struck shot straight at the Wharton keeper. However Marshall was soon put through again and made no mistake, one-nil to Witton and 4 goals already this season for Marshall.
However, things were to turn on a fortuitous goal for the league newcomers, Dan Stuart and Scott Carter leaving the opposing player to each other and this allowed him to get a shot off which beat a disappointed Jones at his near post. 1-1.
This was the queue for Green to introduce himself to the game and immediately he created himself a yard from a good ball from veteran playmaker Chadwick. Again the main feature of the effort was power and again it was straight at the keeper.
The second half brought almost constant pressure from Witton, one quick free kick from Green left Chadwick one on one with the keeper but the angle was too tight and the Wharton custodian saved well. Chadwick was to follow this up almost immediately with a great overhead kick which flashed wide of the post.
Wharton then created what was to be their only chance of the half, a long clearance finding the Wharton striker who got away too easily from Gregory and found the top corner of the Witton net. 2-1 against the run of play.
Witton continued to press and the equaliser came from a free kick taken quickly by Scott Carter which found Green unmarked to beat the stranded goalkeeper and claim his first goal of the season. Green then visibly grew in confidence and he embarked on a run from the left and after beating two defenders squared the ball for Chadwick whose pass was lacking in accuracy.
As Witton chased the winner, Chadwick played a fantastic ball to Dan Stuart who with only the keeper to beat inexplicably squared the ball to Green who had a defender between him and the goal. Green fired wide and a golden opportunity was squandered.
The last and probably the easiest opportunity of the game fell also to Green after Simon Gregory spotted his run and played a ball through the Wharton defence. Green turned and seemingly unaware of how much time he had, hit a hurried shot that went just wide when it appeared easier to score.
All in all a good performance but in honesty a point dropped rather than a point gained.
Man Of The Match: Andy Chadwick - had that extra bit of quality.
Next Best: Greg Marshall - another goal and an all action performance.
Best Thing: The passing and movement seems to have returned.
Worst Thing: Green’s horror miss.