Sunday 4th March 2.30pm @ John Dean’s.
Meet up at Northwich Rowing Club from 1.45pm. Match fees remain ?3 each.
As far as I am aware I have a full squad, but if anyone can’t make it please text me or post on here.
There will NOT be a full match report in the Guardian, so again match reports will be posted on here… 
Send me the details, I bet the Chronicle will print it!!!
WHS.
Witton Team;
GK - Haspell; DF - Marshall, Green(c); MF - G Knight, Blundell; FW - Chadwick.
Subs - Carter, Shaun (for Blundell); Gregory (for Knight); Carter, Scott (for Chadwick).
Team Rating ****
Match Rating ****
Man Of The Match - Shaun Carter
The name Shaun Carter will be forever etched into Witton Albion Supporters FC folklore, after the young twinkle-toed attacker scored the team’s FIRST EVER goal this afternoon in a pulsating 2 - 2 draw. In truth though, the breakthrough goal really should of been scored earlier in the game had debutant Andrew Chadwick converted one of several first half opportunities.
The afternoon began with manager Robinson having his first real selection problem. Regular Goalkeeper Graham Crouch failed to turn up for the match, and with no text or phone call to pre-warn his expectant team-mates, there was a real dilemma as to who was to replace him between the sticks. Luckily in Drew Haspell Witton have found a fine understudy to the the big Barnton-ite. With Haspell in goal, Witton had to reshape their formation with midfield dynamo Tom Green having to switch to a defensive position. Without Green’s steady tackling and explosive workrate in the centre of the field, Witton had to overcome a shaky start. However, as Green began to settle into his new role, he was able to bring the ball out of defense more often. On one such occasion good link up play between Green and Knight allowed a great ball to be played to Blundell, who in turn found Chadwick - who unfortunately was unable to covert the chance.
As Pitches began to get their attacking game going, Marshall made an excellent tackle - that even earned praise from the Referee! However, with Haspell steady in goal - and distribution with ball in hand to rival the likes of Grobelaar and Reina - Witton were still able to fashion opportunities of their own. With Blundell the heart-beat of this new-look Witton side, Pitches could not stop his marauding forward runs and were forced to push him to the ground during one Witton attack. The resultant freekick came to nothing as Chadwick fluffed a glorious chance to break Witton’s duck.
At the other end, Haspell demonstrated Clemence-like agility to divert one Pitches shot around the post.
From another Witton attack came the worst foul of the game, as again Blundell was knocked to the floor. With the referee waving advantage all eyes followed the ball, but as the attack petered out it became clear that all was not well with Blundell - who remained on the floor. Luckily his injury was not too severe, despite him being unable to continue.
With Shaun Carter coming on to replace Blundell, Robinson was again forced to shuffle his pack. Knight moved to defense, with Green and Chadwick forming a midfield partnership of young athleticism paired with an experienced mind. As Witton adapted to their new shape, Sons Of Pitches took full advantage and danced through some half-hearted tackling to put the ball in the back of Haspell’s net.
So, half time and 1 - 0 down.
With some fine words of encouragement, Robinson sent his troops back into battle knowing that that elusive first goal would need to be found this afternoon if Witton were to get anything from the game. To their credit, Witton performed much better in the second half, but for the most part were unable to find the luck that they so richly deserved. Sensing the need to shore up the defense, Robinson withdrew Knight to hand a debut to defender Si Gregory, and with time running out Robinson replaced Chadwick’s ageing legs with the youthful exuberance of Scott Carter, and within minutes the game had been turned on it’s head. First Scott found Shaun on the edge of the area, who after a couple of attempts, placed the ball in the bottom corner of Pitches’ net - queue wild scenes of jubilation from the watching masses on the touchline. History had been made!
It only took a few more minutes for Witton to take a deserevd lead. This time Scott Carter picked the ball up in midfield, and with his watching Father screaming at him to pass, advanced several yards before planting a sublime shot into the corner of the net. From being a goal down just minutes earlier, Witton had suddenly taken the lead. Queue further wild scenes of jubilation from the watching WIttoners!
After this, Witton really should of added to their lead, but just couldn’t find the final ball.
Unfortunately there was heartbreak ahead for the Witton side, as with just a minute left on the clock Gregory hesitated over a clearance allowing the attacker to charge it down. With the ball unluckily bouncing off the forward and through Gregory’s legs (megs!!), Marshall was unable to close down the attacker quickly enough who duely stroked the ball home. Haspell was outraged as the goal had clearly been scored a yard inside the keeper’s area - and therefore should not of stood. However, the referee waved away the protests and the game finished 2 - 2.
So, although feeling slightly agreived to not of won the game, Witton can be proud to have fought back from a goal down to almost win the match. The big question now is whether or not Crouch will still have his place in the side for the final match of the season next week.
Excellent coverage of the game Mr Robinson, sounds a thriller, sadly for the second week unable to spectate.
Been chatting to some Sheihk over here who might be interested in investing a few million into the supporters team, apparently he tried before to buy some mickey mouse team up the road but they ended up selling to a yank. He’s been follwing the supporters team closely and believes Premiership in 10 years is a reasonable target, shall I give him your number?
Sorry Roobo, it was this game I sent the report to the Chron and Guardian not the earlier one.
WHS.
Mr Rabbit, i regret to inform you that we are NOT for sale to any wealthy tycoon. We remain the people’s team.[br][size=1]Posted on: March 05, 2007, 08:41:24 PM[/size][hr]For the record, we have now been approached by a local ‘businessman’ who wants to half-build us a new stadium with lots of fancy restaurants and possibly a marina. However, he expects gates to increase to at least 60 or 70 people to make this worthwhile for him. Apparently he has offered the Guardian an exclusive for this week’s paper…
Robbo, now you’re just been ridiculous, nobody would ever base their entire business growth on such unrealistic gates, next you will be saying he wants to charge ?12 a ticket.
With your current goalkeeping resignation in mind though this could be good news, maybe his Mrs will play in nets for you. He could get his lad to do it but apparently he is already busy keeping the bench warm somewhere else!