Widnes FC v. Witton Albion

Six games between Witton and the end of the season begins on Saturday afternoon when they travel to the leaders and potential champions Widnes in a Northern Premier League West Division fixture.

A run of one point from four games has seen Witton slip to fourteenth in the table and in the coming weeks, they face three teams with realistic chances of making the play offs.

Manager Ben Harrison has made changes to the squad in recent days with latest recruit midfielder Brian Seidenari joining after training with the club.

Fellow midfielder Alfie Henderson has also extended his loan from Salford City until the end of the season.

One departure has seen striker Nick Hepple join North West Counties Premier Division Chadderton, following a disappointing time at the U Lock It Stadium after a promising start.

The reverse fixture at the U Lock It Stadium earlier in the season saw Widnes take the points in a 1-0 win courtesy of Louis Isherwood’s goal in a game which saw Albion midfielder James Lawrie controversially sent off.

Four wins from their last six games will secure the title for Widnes but Witton will be hoping to dent their charge albeit temporarily.

Amongst the Widnes squad are likely to be three players with previous links to Witton in midfielders Kingsley Williams and Harry McGee, they also have defender/midfielder Jack Byrne who enjoyed a brief loan spell with the club.

Witton have managed to win on both of their previous visits to the DCBL Stadium and a similar result would be very helpful in getting them up the table but they’ll need to perform at their best for that to happen.

Kick off at the DCBL Stadium is 3pm.

WIDNES FC,
THE DCBL STADIUM,
LOWERHOUSE LANE,
WIDNES,
CHESHIRE,
WA8 7DZ.

Directions: From Runcorn & the South - Cross Widnes/Runcorn Bridge(A533). Follow signs for Widnes(A562). At roundabout, take 3rd exit towards Widnes Town Centre and then first left following brown signs to Halton Stadium (McDonald’s on the right). Take 2nd exit off the mini-roundabout into Lowerhouse Lane.

Parking: The Car Park is next to the South Stand.

Admission is via Turnstiles S1 & S2. Supporters are seated in the South Stand. Please note: South Stand is the only stand open on matchdays.

Admission Prices: Adults: £10, Concessions: £7, Under 16’s: £2.

Concessions are Over 65’s & Students over 16, Identification will be required.

Please note: All under 16’s MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult and the adult MUST have an unrestricted view of the person they are with and MUST be in close proximity to them.

Anyone deemed to be under 16 and unsupervised will be asked to leave the stadium.

A Card & cash turnstile will be open from 2pm on matchday.

Matchday Programme: On sale in the Concourse of the South Stand - Cost: £2.

Social Club: The Legends bar is accessed via the Stadium Fitness entrance on Lowerhouse Lane and is open from 12pm - Reasonably priced beers, Barista Style Coffee, Snacks also available. Free WiFi, Darts & Sky Sports also available on the big screen.

Please note: Alcohol is NOT permitted in the South Stand seating area.

Refreshments: A Concourse bar is situated under the South Stand serving snacks.

Toilet Facilities: Toilet facilities including wheelchair accessible facilities are located with the concourse of each stand.

Match commentary will be available on https://radio-witton.milxr.com with Iain Wright from around 2.30pm for chat and team news.

Match updates will also be available on X @WittonAlbion and on here as and when they become available.

Witton team news & latest score updates will appear here as and when they become available.

Team news: Witton make three changes to the starting line-up beaten by Avro last weekend. James Baillie, Joel Bailey & James Lawrie start replacing Josh Langley(unavailable) & Max Harrop(injury) who are not involved whilst striker Nick Hepple has departed the club, so captain Mike Koral partners James Hooper in attack. Harry Brazel returns to the squad alongside new Signing Brian Seidenari.

WITTON team:

Louie Fallon, James Baillie, Damola Sotona, Joel Bembo Leta, Joel Bailey, Alfie Henderson, Adam Watson, Isaac Graham, Mike Koral, James Lawrie, James Hooper.

Subs: Lee Jackson, Oliver Hitchcox, Danny Thompson-Edwards, Harry Brazel, Brian Seidenari.

Widnes have former Albion midfielder Harry McGee & defender/midfielder Jack Byrne in their starting line-up. Kingsley Williams is named amongst their substitutes.

Latest Score from The DCBL Stadium:

Widnes FC 0 Witton Albion 0.

10 minutes played.

25 minutes played - Still goalless.

Yellow cards:

Widnes FC’s Harry McGee on 35 minutes.

Witton’s James Lawrie on 35 minutes.

Yellow card:

Widnes FC’s Niall Battersby on 40 minutes.

Half Time Score from The DCBL Stadium:

Widnes FC 0 Witton Albion 0.

Today’s Attendance: 279.

Latest Score from The DCBL Stadium:

Widnes FC 0 Witton Albion 0.

55 minutes played.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Damola Sotona on 65 minutes.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The DCBL Stadium:

Widnes FC 0 Witton Albion 1.

Alfie Henderson gives the Albion the lead on 71 minutes with his first goal for the club - meeting Adam Watson’s cross and heading home past Mark Halstead in the Widnes goal.

Witton Substitution:

Alfie Henderson replaced by Harry Brazel on 74 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

James Lawrie replaced by Oliver Hitchcox on 83 minutes.

Yellow card:

Widnes Fc’s Kingsley Williams on 87 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

James Hooper replaced by Brian Seidenari on 90+1 minutes.

Full Time Score from The DCBL Stadium:

Widnes FC 0 Witton Albion 1.

Excellent result and Witton’s third successive victory at Widnes.

Upto 12th in the table.

As we came out of last week’s game I said jokingly that we’d probably win at Widnes but I didn’t really think it!

That’s football for you.

What a win, scored a great goal and defended like it really mattered.

Henderson had his best game since arriving not just his goal he got involved more.

The defence were superb, especially the centre backs and keeper.

To beat the league leaders you have to put a good shift in and all the team did so which made the difference.

Not a classic flowing game because Widnes don’t let you do that, well organised and in your face epitomised by our ex player McGee!

Still not sure about our shape and if we stick with it maybe Hooper central and Koral wide which we did for a spell and looked better.

Superb win my MoM Bailey. UTA