2:00 Kick off.
Meet 1:15 at rowing club.
Might not make the game due to injury, let fitness test needed! ???
Witton Albion Supporters 2 v 1 Northwich United
Witton Team: GK Johnson, DF Gregory, Haspell (C) MF Carter Sc, Carter Sh, CF Stuart. Subs: Blundell, Alder, Jones
Scorers: Alder (20), Gregory (24).
Witton’s first game of the new season brought useful points against a Northwich side bolstered by the addition of half the Real Sita team.
The Albion Started poorly with last weeks problems again coming to the fore. The complete inability at times to play a simple 5 yard pass was criminal and let Northwich off the hook several times, and far too often the back two were left exposed as Witton failed to track the opposition.
It was therefore no surprise that Northwich went in ahead at the break.
The Witton manager and Goalkeeper both had some choice words for the team at half time, and in the second half the Albion showed more purpose and endeavour.
Northwich continued to frustrate with both their defensive outlook and several heavy and late challenges which threatened more injury problems to an already depleted squad.
The leveller finally came when debutant Scott Alder collected a fine ball and rifled an unstoppable shot past the otherwise outstanding Northwich keeper.
This settled the jitters and Witton’s far superior ability became obvious, with Alder, the Carter boys and Blundell causing all kinds of problems.
A late, dramatic winner came (eventually) from the most unlikely source.
Some neat passing was broken up by a half clearance which fell invitingly to Simon Gregory who inexplicably found himself on the edge of the opposition’s box. Greogry made no mistake and broke the hearts of a plucky Northwich side with an expert finish.
However all was not rosy throughout as the referee , as so often in the past, made himself the star attraction in true Graham Poll style. After the Northwich keeper had ventured 5 yards out of his area, much to the anger of Witton’s incandescent manager, the referee took the opportunity to subject Green and his substitutes to a tirade that was frankly abusive, arrogant, and as usual, factually incorrect. Green will be submitting his thoughts to the league in due course.
However, this should not detract from a good performance. Well done boys.