Congleton scored more goals than us but we have a win at last. Again we were the best team in the 1st half but Congleton came out 2nd half and played the better football and probably deserved a draw.
I thought Smyth looked lively in the first half, his run (and the foul on him in the box) lead to the penalty and his ball for the second goal was a peach (impossible to defend as their player either sticks a leg out or we put it in anyway). He needs to keep further out to the left as it was from that position that both goals came, he got sucked deeper into midfield perhaps due to lack of strength in that department.
Thomo also worked hard although he had very little service in the second half.
They could and should have equalised and therefore we were perhaps a bit lucky that this didn’t go into extra time. We still need to get better quickly as the performance would not necessarily overcome league opposition.
As much as I think Rod is a quality player he has not performed at his best this season so far and I would be tempted to start Thomo alongside our new loan signing on Saturday.
A win is a win and hopefully this will be the catalyst now and we can get all three points on Saturday.
A game of 2 halves. The main cause was the wind, which was against us 2nd half, and sod’s law, twice as strong!
A good battling performance especially smythe who looked impressive in the first half, some good football played at times, but second half we seemed to adopt the congleton sunday league approach, “lets get as many players as close together as possible and just clog it”. Good to see some decent wing play in the first half caused them major problems, but almost disapeared in the second half, but still its a win, in difficult conditions and hopefully it will give us some confidence for saturdays game. One annoying point was the lack of a minutes silence before the game, I asked one of the assistants why there wasnt one and was told he thought it was “too cold to stand about”, its a good job our armed forces dont refuse to fight and die because its too cold isn`t it. Respect the referees, f**k the referees, no respect at all.
Stu
Finally a home win, and that’s a big plus point. Don’t forget there are still big question marks about our fitness, which wont improve overnight.
Terrible conditions to play in, thought our first half performance was ok
but second half we were on the back foot for far to long and like Simon pointed out we were rather fortunate in avoiding an extra 30 min, great miss by Tullock in the closing stages. Excellent departing notes from Nigel in the programme, shame about the gate just 125, everyone must have been at the Arabs meeting at the Floatel.
Tuesday November 11th 2008 - UniBond Cheshire FA Senior Cup Q/F
WITTON ALBION 2 CONGLETON TOWN 1 Att. 125
Team: Smith G.; Dunne, Pritchard, Brockley, Donnelly; Lugsden, Olsen (Schwarz 76), Drew, Smyth; Thompson & Thornley R. (Skelton 88). Sub n/u Thaker
Watched by their lowest ever home Cheshire Senior Cup crowd Albion finally ended their record equalling run of ten defeats but not without considerable difficulty.
Fielding an attack minded line-up that included Kieran Lugsden back after a two month lay-off Witton set about their task with purpose.
They took the lead in the 27th minute from the penalty spot after Mark Smyth’s legs were swept from under him. MARK DREW hammering the ball that although Rob Hackney got a hand to it the sheer power took it firmly to the intended target.
Smyth was constantly making inroads from the left flank and in the 38th minute produced a low driven ball into the danger area that full back Andy John, under intense pressure from Lugsden could only direct into his own net.
So just like Saturday 2-0 ahead and looking very comfortable. Unfortunately just like their previous game the second half mirrored the events somewhat. Congleton dominated the period aided it has to be said by a ferocious wind and later rain storm at their backs. However the very fact that Hackney did not have to produce one single save is of grave concern.
Town did manage to get on the score-sheet in the 50th minute with a coolly taken penalty kick from Matt Woolley after Steve Brockley had fouled. Former Albion players Darren Twigg and Stuart Tulloch were constant dangers throughout and the latter really should have equalised when he missed an open goal attempt.
Must comment though on some of the visiting team’s challenges that ended with five of them being cautioned by the excellent Wirral based referee Neil Davies.
Very interesting to see both Mike Moseley and Steve Connors watching on, especially as their current team Bradford Park Avenue were playing at the same time at Buxton! Moseley though has entered a month’s loan back to the Albion that hadn’t been arranged in time to enable him to qualify for the Senior Cup tie and will return to the Red & White Stripes team against Worksop Town on Saturday that will surely lift some of the gloom around Wincham Park.
MIKE BACK!!! He should never have gone in the first place. Welcome back Mike.
WHS.
excellent report, spot on. It was my first time I had watched Albion last night and obviously like you all had some real reservations about some of the squad. The left back looked really lacking in cofidence, probably due to thwe fact he is a right footer! But for me that would be a priority area along with right mid. Not one attack of any note came from the right all game long! I thought that the two centre backs did farly well, though the number 4 needs to lose some weight and I think he would be a decent player. The number ten linked up well with Smyth, trying to get the knock ons from the throws and playing one twos down the wing. I would like to see fitness worked on, this is probably an issue in our second half performances! When do we find out the semi final draw?
Dates to be confirmed, but I have heard the 20th January mentioned.
Altrincham v Witton Albion
Nantwich v Woodley Sports
iroc1 wrote:
[quote]the number 4 needs to lose some weight and I think he would be a decent player.[quote]
Yeah he has only been at the club for 13 years so suppose he could be quite decent?!?! :silly:
His legs went years ago.
Must be his boots.