Witton Albion v. Bootle

Witton return to the U Lock It Stadium on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Bootle in a Northern Premier League West Division fixture.

The Bucks currently sit two places above Albion in the table in fourteenth with a five point cushion so there are three more vital points on offer.

The two teams have already met once this season back in September at the Berry Street Garage Stadium, when two goals from Joe Duckworth helped Witton to progress in the Isuzu FA Challenge Trophy in a close game.

Bootle like Witton, have struggled for consistency this season but in leading goalscorer Ben Hodkinson have one of the best players in the league.

Recent results have been rather mixed for the Bucks, an excellent draw against high-flyers Bury, but also a 6-0 defeat against Chasetown.

Witton were disappointed to lose at new-boys Shifnal Town last weekend and will be hoping to put that right in what will be a very tough test for them.

Last season’s meetings saw Witton claim a point on Merseyside whilst the Bucks were narrow victors in the game at the U Lock It Stadium.

Four of the previous seven games in all competitions between the two have ended all square, so we could be in for another close game.

Please note: Kick off at the U Lock It Stadium is 3.03pm in support of the National League’s 3UP campaign.

WITTON ALBION FC,
THE U LOCK IT STADIUM,
CHAPEL STREET,
WINCHAM,
NORTHWICH,
CW9 6DA.

Parking: The Car Park is past the Social Club on the right. Please note: Parking for Disabled is near to the turnstiles at the Wincham End of the stadium - the first entrance as you approach the stadium from the access road.

Admission is by way of Card or cash payments at the turnstiles at the Wincham End of the stadium on matchday.

Admission Prices: Adults: £12, Concessions(Over65’s/Disabled): £7, Young Adults: (18-21 Year Old’s): £5, Under 18’s: £3 (FREE with Junior Membership Card). Season Ticket Holders & Under 5’s - Admitted FREE.

Stadium Access: Before the game, the stadium is only accessible by way of the turnstiles. Wheelchair users access is via the gate near to the turnstiles at the Wincham End of the stadium.

Disabled Facilities: There are two sections - one at each end of the main stand for Wheelchair users.

Due to the changing of the arrangements for access to the Social Club, the turnstiles will be open 2 hours prior to kick off - 1pm on Saturdays, 6pm for midweek games unless otherwise stated.

Matchday Programme: Please note: Matchday Programmes are now being produced in digital format. QR Codes will be placed around the stadium on matchday for supporters to access it. A link will also be posted on Social Media ahead of each game.

Social Club: The Social Club will be open from 1pm. Please note: Card payments are accepted at the bar.

Please note: The Social Club can only be accessed from inside the stadium after entering via the turnstiles. From half time onwards, the Social Club is accessible via the passageway within the main stand.

Please note: As the Social Club is a food preparation area, dogs are NOT permitted inside the Social Club with the exception of assistance dogs(hearing and visually impaired).

The FanZone will be open from 1pm. To access the FanZone - enter the stadium via the turnstiles at the Wincham End of the stadium and walk past the main stand. The FanZone has a bar within it and a seating area. Please note: Alcohol is permitted inside the stadium but MUST be in a plastic beaker.

Please note: Alcohol is permitted inside the stadium but MUST be in a plastic beaker.

We now have Re-usable Cups for a £2 deposit(Returnable) - Same rules but a different design.

There is also a bar inside the stadium near the Club Shop(Museum): Selling Alcohol, Soft drinks & Snacks. Please note: Alcohol MUST be in a plastic beaker.

Refreshments: Food is now available once again within the Social Club and The Tea Bar (Queenies) will also be open inside the stadium at the Lostock End of the stadium.

The Snack Bar will also be open at the Wincham End of the stadium and Juniors are welcome to use either Tea Bar within the stadium if preferred.

Please note: Hot & cold drinks and snacks are available at the Snack Bar at the Wincham End of the stadium. Hot food is only available inside the stadium from the Tea Bar (Queenies) at the Lostock End of the stadium past the main stand.

Toilet Facilities: There are toilet facilities in all four corners of the stadium, as well as inside the main entrance to the Social Club which also has a wheelchair accessible facility.

Hand Sanitizers are positioned near to every entrance point around the Stadium & Supporters are welcome to use them.

There is a pitch inspection planned for 11am on Saturday morning.

Details will be announced as soon as a decision is made.

Game is ON

So Looking forward to a game, let’s hope we keep playing well but get the points we deserve this time!

A few injuries still to clear up sadly, so the team I’d like to see out would be:

Terry

Dufton-Kelly, Harrison, Bembo-Leta, Fleming.

Lawrie,

Bairstow, Brazel.

Duckworth, Hoyle, Akpo.

Good luck to whoever plays. UTA

Full match commentary will be available on https://radio-witton.mixlr.com with Iain Wright from 2.45pm.

Match updates will be available on X @WittonAlbion and will also appear 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 one change to the starting line-up beaten at Shifnal Town last Saturday with Freddy Garbutt coming in for Joe Edwards who is missing due to injury. Harry Woods comes into the squad.

Witton team:

Cameron Terry, Tom Farrall, Aaron Fleming, James Lawrie, Ben Dufton-Kelly, Joel Bembo-Leta, Harry Brazel, Alfie Bairstow, Joe Duckworth, Freddy Garbutt, Tom Hoyle.

Subs: Damola Sotona, Adam Bott, Jeanny Akpo, Harry Woods, Ben Harrison.

Bootle have former Albion defender Michael Simpson in their starting line-up.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Bootle 0.

10 minutes played.

20 minutes played - Still goalless.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Bootle 0.

30 minutes played.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Ben Harrison on 38 minutes.

PENALTY to Witton on 40 minutes

Freddy Garbutt is brought down by Bootle defender Anthony Miley.

Yellow card:

Bootle’s Anthony Miley on 40 minutes.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Bootle 0.

Joe Duckworth gives the Albion the lead from the spot on 41 minutes with his eleventh goal of the season. Spot-kick was re taken after Bucks keeper Tony Thompson saved the initial attempt.

Yellow card:

Bootle’s Tony Thompson on 41 minutes.

Half Time Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Bootle 0.

55 minutes played - Witton still lead courtesy of Joe Duckworth’s penalty.

Yellow card:

Witton’s James Lawrie on 57 minutes.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Joe Duckworth on 63 minutes.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Bootle 1.

Courtney Duffus equalises for the Bucks on 66 minutes.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Ben Dufton-Kelly on 66 minutes.

75 minutes played - Still 1-1.

Witton Substitution:

Freddy Garbutt replaced by Jeanny Akpo on 75 minutes.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Alfie Bairstow on 82 minutes.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Bootle 1.

85 minutes played.

Full Time Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Bootle 1.

Today’s Attendance: 357.

A hard fought game played out on a pitch that was great considering the weather! I thought we defended pretty well and midfield battled hard for control which we never really got but with 3 strikers it’s hard for them and it didn’t really work as we didn’t create enough!

For me 4 3 3 only works if the wide men work hard into midfield also but we didn’t really do that.

Overall a fair result despite one or 2 contentious decisions by the ref who was really over fussy.

To climb the table we have to be better than that, what harm could have been done putting Woods on upfront to inject a bit of pace and try to win it?

Trying to not get beat is not the thing to do, especially at home!