Witton Albion v. Chasetown

Witton go into the Easter weekend in the knowledge that they are mathematically safe from relegation following results on Good Friday.

Two games in three days is always a challenge and so much can be decided over the Easter period but not in this case as far as Albion are concerned.

Play off hopefuls Chasetown are Albion’s opponents on Saturday afternoon in their penultimate home fixture in the Northern Premier League West Division.

The Scholars go into the game in fifth place in the table and a win would almost guarantee their spot in the play offs.

Results in recent weeks have improved for Ben Harrison’s team and an excellent point at Vauxhall Motors last weekend took Albion over the coveted 50 point mark for the season.

Chasetown have collected silverware in recent days with the Staffordshire Senior Cup safely locked away following their 4-1 victory over Rushall Olympic, courtesy of a hat-trick from striker Joey Butlin which took his total for the season into double figures.

Midfielder and leading scorer Jack Langston has also been a major influence in the Scholars campaign this season and is always a danger to any opponent.

The reverse meeting between the two earlier in the season saw the Scholars come out on top in a close game with Kevin Spinelli replying for the Albion after Danny Glover had put the Scholars ahead.

Ben Lund restored Chasetown’s lead on the hour and that proved enough to seal the points.

In the five previous games, Witton have had the upper hand with three wins to Chasetown’s two so there is yet to be a draw between the two.

With nothing to play for now except trying to finish the season as high as possible, Witton will want to end the campaign in a positive manner and with nine points still on offer a mid table finish is a possibility.

The Scholars will have thoughts of the play offs and will provide a tough test so Witton will need to perform in order to pick up three more valuable points.

Kick off at the U Lock It Stadium is 3pm.

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: The Matchday Programme is available inside the stadium next to the Club Shop (Museum) and also inside the Social Club - Cost: £2.

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).

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

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.

Additional Information: Before the game on Saturday, the football club are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt. Easter Eggs and other chocolate items will be place around the stadium for people to find. Clues will be posted on our social media channels ahead of the event. The turnstiles will be open as usual from 1pm.

Well We can relax with relegation fears gone and hopefully play some decent football.

Some encouraging displays recently, so let’s get 3 points. Not sure on injuries position but I’d maybe go assuming Harrop and Djabi injured.

Fallon
Baillie, Bailey, Langley, Bembo-Leta, Sotona
Henderson, Graham, Lawrie
Koral, Hooper, Brazel.

Good luck lads. UTA

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

Match updates will appear 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 two changes to the starting line-up that drew at Vauxhall Motors last weekend. Harry Brazel & Mike Koral start in place of Joel Bembo-Leta and Danny Thompson-Edwards who drop down to the bench. Max Harrop returns to the squad but Player Manager Ben Harrison & Brian Seidenari are not involved. Mamadou Djabi is still missing due to injury.

WITTON team:

Louie Fallon, James Baillie, Damola Sotona, Alfie Henderson, Josh Langley, Joel Bailey, James Lawrie, Isaac Graham, Mike Koral, Harry Brazel, James Hooper.

Subs: Lee Jackson, Oliver Hitchcox, Max Harrop, Joel Bembo-Leta, Danny Thompson-Edwards.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Chasetown 0.

10 minutes played.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Chasetown 1.

George Cater gives the Scholars the lead on 14 minutes with his 16th of the season - his cross enters the Albion net off the far post.

20 minutes played - Chasetown still lead courtesy of George Cater’s goal.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Chasetown 1.

Damola Sotona equalises for the Albion on 25 minutes with his second goal of the season - netting from close-range after Scholars keeper Curtis Pond had saved Mike Koral’s initial effort.

Excellent chance for the Albion on 33 minutes following Joel Bailey’s pass to Mike Koral and his cross finds Harry Brazel but the shot is blocked.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 2 Chasetown 1.

Mike Koral puts the Albion in front on 38 minutes with his second goal of the season - following up after Chasetown keeper Curtis Pond had stopped Harry Brazel’s strike.

Half Time Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 2 Chasetown 1.

Today’s Attendance: 410.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 2 Chasetown 1.

60 minutes played.

Yellow card:

Chasetown’s Kieran Fenton on 61 minutes.

Yellow card:

Chasetown’s Mitchell Clarke on 64 minutes.

Chance for the Albion on 66 minutes but James Lawrie’s attempt dips just over the crossbar.

Brilliant save from Albion keeper Louie Fallon on 69 minutes from Scholars Sam Wilding’s header.

Witton Substitution:

Alfie Henderson replaced by Max Harrop on 71 minutes.

80 minutes played - Albion still lead 2-1.

Witton Substitution:

Harry Brazel replaced by Oliver Hitchcox on 83 minutes.

Chance for the Albion on 84 minutes but Scholars Keeper Curtis Pond denies James Baillie with a brilliant save.

Chance for Chasetown on 85 minutes a cross from Jordan Evans finds Sam Wilding at the back post but he completely misses the target.

Witton Substitution:

James Lawrie replaced by Danny Thompson-Edwards on 87 minutes.

Full Time Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 2 Chasetown 1.

Excellent result. Witton climb to 13th in the table ahead of Easter Monday’s trip to Nantwich Town for a 3pm kick off.

Really good win and performance by the lads, 3-1 would have reflected the match better and it would have been if the ref had given a certain pen when Brazel got chopped down in the box!

Surprised to see Bembo-Leta dropped, been playing well but the lads playing put in a lot of effort and played good football.

Fallon, Graham and Sotona caught my eye but they all played well. UTA