Witton Team;
GK - Haspell; DF - Wilson, Robinson; MF - Marshall, Green(c); FW - Blundell.
Subs - Carter, Scott (for Robinson); Gregory (for Marshall); Yoxall (for Blundell).
Team Rating ***
Match Rating ***
Man Of The Match - Neil Wilson
Despite a vintage performance from debutant Neil Wilson, WItton Albion Supporters fell to their first defeat yesterday. In what was in truth a tight affair, with some excellent flowing football from the Witton boys, they were perhaps guilty of sitting too deep and leaving Blundell isolated upfront. With a squad reduced to bare bones by the notable absenses of Shaun Carter and veteran Andy Chadwick, and the less notable absense of ‘Big Stu’, Robinson was forced to start himself in a defensive role - meaning a more advanced midfield position for Greg Marshall.
The game started at frantic pace, with Marshall somehow managing to trip over his own foot, before Blundell fed Green - who just missed the target. Shortly afterwards Marshall ran the length of the field in anticipation of being set free by Blundell, but the fiery attacker chose not to pass and the move came to nothing.
At the other end, Allstars managed to create an opportunity of their own, but failed to truely test Haspell in the Witton goal. The Albion custodian was then tested from just inside the Witton half, but again made an easy save.
Before anyone had time to blink, the ball was again heading towards the Allstars goal, and - after some sublime approach play - Blundell lofted a superlative ball towards Green who sent a looping header towards the top corner of the opposition’s goal. However, the keeper somehow fully extended his body to tip the header over the bar and away for a corner.
At the other end, Haspell was forced into another neat save. Within minutes though the deadlock had been broken. With the midfield failing to track back to pick up runners, Wilson and Robinson were over-run and Allstars took a shock lead. One nil.
Unperturbed, Witton continued to play good football. However, with Blundell not receiving adequate support from the midfield, he was beginning to get a little frustrated. On one occasion - after unleashing a string of expletives - he was on the receiving end of a strong dressing down by the Captain Birdseye-esque referee.
As is his trademark though, Blundell kept his head down and made run after run at the opposition defense. Another Blundell attack petered out when he was once again denied any real support. Finally, just before half time, he did manage to fashion a shooting opportunity. Unfortunately his rasping shot was met by the keepers finger-tips and cannoned down off the underside of the bar - just failing to cross the line.
So for the second successive week, Witton found themselves a goal down at the break. However, where last week they had turned things around, this week the second half began with constant Allstars pressure. First Wilson was forced to make a telling block and concede a corner, then Haspell saved well with his feet. Robinson tried to push his side forward, and won 2 amazing headers in the centre of the field. However, this was to be his final influence on the game, as he replcaed himself with Scott Carter.
Carter was involved immediately, winning the ball in the centre and feeding Green. Green got a good shot away, but the keeper managed to save. Then Marshall hit a freekick wide - before being replaced by Gregory.
Again Allstars began to pile on the pressure, and Haspell made 2 great saves in succession. Then Allstars went clear through on goal, but blasted wide.
On the counter Witton attacked again, with Green shooting just wide. Then Wilson made an excellent run from the back, forcing a corner. Next Gregory released Green with a good ball, but the strangely subdued midfield enforcer could only find the side netting. Again Green picked the ball up in a dangerous position, but after a neat turn he could only blaze over. At this point Yoxall replaced Blundell.
With a bumper crowd of 3 looking like going home dissappointed, Yoxall ensured at least one lasting memory. Picking the ball up in acres of space on the left wing, the flame-haired utility man looked like advancing into space. However, in what can only have been caused by a shot from a well-placed sniper rifle, Yoxall began to lose his footing before tumbling face first onto the astroturf. How he explained the grazed knees to his girlfirend, one can only guess…
Finally with seconds remaining, Yoxall dallied on the ball for too long allowing Allstars to win back possession, and with the rest of the Witton team watching on, they put the result beyond all doubt. Two nil and game over.
After the game Robinson remarked that the match had been a great learning curve for his side, and that they would come back much stronger when the new season kicks off.
