Witton Albion v. Clitheroe

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

Following a decent run in which they have taken ten points from the last five games, including two tough games against both Wythenshawe teams, Albion find themselves comfortably in mid table and with games in hand on most teams above them.

Surprisingly Clitheroe find themselves at the wrong end of the table and in their lowest position since the 2018/19 season, when they just managed to avoid relegation.

One of the main reasons for their struggles so far this season appears to be their away form, having lost four out of five on the road.

In comparison, they are unbeaten at home in seven games, four wins and three draws.

Witton will be looking to pick up three more important points as they aim to climb the table in pursuit of the play offs but, a tough game is to be expected.

The corresponding game last season saw Clitheroe claim the points in a close game with Tom Pope on target for Witton.

The meeting in Lancashire was more comfortable for Witton as they secured the points in a 3-0 win with goals from Elliot Rokka, Tom Pope and Connor Hughes.

Managed by Jimmy Bell, who enjoyed success at Accrington Stanley as assistant to another Witton legend in John Coleman, Clitheroe have added experience in the form of Sean McConville who doubles up as a player coach and also enjoyed a league career with Accrington Stanley.

The game sees Witton face two home games in three days with Trafford on the horizon but first things first, they can’t look too far ahead and have a job to do against a very difficult opponent.

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.

Please note: As the game is being played over Remembrance Weekend, Witton Albion Football Club are offering FREE admission to all current serving Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans. To gain FREE admission - Please show your ID at the Players Entrance.

The offer is also open to all Emergency Service Workers and NHS Staff.

Stadium Access: Before the game, the stadium is only accessible by way of the turnstiles.

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: As the game is being played over Remembrance Weekend, there will be a short service and ceremony prior to kick off.

Really looking forward to the game hopefully we can keep improving and get all 3 points. Team-wise a bit tricky due to injuries and strikers not cementing a place, I’d be happy with.

Allen
Koral, Bailey, Grogan, Hitchcox, Jackson
McGee, German, Graham
Dasilva, Djabi.

Good luck lads. UTA

Match updates will appear on X @WittonAlbion and also on the forum as and when they become available.

Full match commentary with Iain Wright is available on www.radionorthwich.co.uk from 2.45pm.

You can also pick up a FREE copy of the Matchday Programme from the Stafford Rangers game which were delayed due to logistical issues.

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 that drew at Wythenshawe FC last weekend. Wealth Dasilva comes in for Elliot Rokka who drops down to the bench.

WITTON team:

Ellis Allen, Mike Koral, Lee Jackson, Oliver Hitchcox, Callum Grogan, Joel Bailey, Isaac Graham, Owen German, Mamadou Djabi, Wealth Dasilva, Harry McGee.

Subs: Owen Cushion, Kevin Spinelli, Kyle King, Elliot Rokka, Jay Salkeld.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Clitheroe 0.

10 minutes played.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Clitheroe 1.

Sefton Gonzales gives the Blues the lead on 21 minutes heading home from Connor High’s corner.

Owen German goes close for the Albion on 26 minutes but his shot goes narrowly wide.

35 minutes played - Clitheroe still lead courtesy of Sefton Gonzales goal.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Owen German on 37 minutes.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Mamadou Djabi on 44 minutes.

Half Time Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Clitheroe 1.

Sefton Gonzales goal midway through the first half separates the two sides at the break.

Witton have the ball in the net on 46 minutes but it’s ruled out for offside.

Today’s Attendance: 449.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Clitheroe 1.

55 minutes played.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Clitheroe 1.

Wealth Dasilva equalises for the Albion on 62 minutes hammering the ball past Hakan Burton in the Clitheroe goal following Mike Koral’s cross.

Witton Substitution:

Wealth Dasilva replaced by Elliot Rokka on 63 minutes.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Clitheroe 2.

Sefton Gonzales restores Clitheroe’s lead on 69 minutes - chasing a long ball and Albion keeper Ellis Allen kicks the ball against the on-rushing forward and it rolls into the empty net.

Witton Substitution:

Harry McGee replaced by Kyle King on 78 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

Lee Jackson replaced by Kevin Spinelli on 87 minutes.

PENALTY to Witton as Elliot Rokka is brought down in the area.

Yellow card:

Clitheroe’s Jacob Hanson on 90 minutes.