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Eli, I get the impression your really up for this one
FANtastic centrefold photo in todays programme. Worth £2 on it’s own.
Witton v Curzon Ashton: League Cup preview
By Andrew Simpson
Witton Albion v Curzon Ashton (ko 3pm)
UniBond League Challenge Cup Fourth Round
Venue: Wincham Park
Previous meeting: n/a
Witton (from): Kennedy (GK), Ellison (GK), Coo, Pritchard, Barras, Kearney, Brownhill, Dillon, MacPherson, Wood, Lloyd, Brown, Craven, Peers, Brodie, Thornley, Wilson, Rutter
Doubtful: Warlow (virus)
Injured: none
Suspended: none
Top scorer: Adam Warlow (19)
Route to this round: Albion saw off Colwyn Bay, managed by former boss Gary Findley, on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Now departed Tom Spearritt and John Dillon were the scorers for Jim Vince’s men.
Curzon Ashton (from): Carnell (GK), Birch, Mortimer, Watson, Jones, Ogoo, Allen, Curley, Norton, Redshaw, Worsley, Parr, Stanford, Mitten, Pringle
Doubtful: none
Injured: none
Suspended: none
Top scorer: Michael Norton (24)
Route to this round: Curzon kicked off their League Cup campaign with a 2-1 win at Woodley Sports before thrashing Alsager Town 4-1 in the next round. They booked a trip to Witton following a penalty shoot-out win over Nantwich Town in the third round.
Match pointers
WITTON boss Jim Vince is likely to shuffle his pack ahead of tomorrow’s visit of the UniBond Division One North league leaders.
This game has long been pencilled in as the one in which Alex Brown will make his return after a three-month lay-off with a knee injury. The midfielder has been back in training for the past month and should start against Curzon Ashton. He could be joined by others with a lack of minutes recently such as John Dillon, Dean Craven, Ian Kearney and Neil Wood.
With Adam Warlow battling to shake off a virus Vince could partner Kyle Wilson with Rod Thornley in attack once more or call on Tom Rutter after a series of impressive cameos as a substitute.
Reserve team regulars Tim Drohan, Craig Ellison and Kurtis Gill may also make an appearance.
If Brian Pritchard starts the game it will mark his 600th appearance in Albion colours since signing from Southport in 1995.
Visitors Curzon are two points clear at the top of the tier below Albion despite losing their past two league encounters, including a 2-0 reverse against FC United of Manchester at the weekend.
Gary Lowe’s team boast one of the leading scorers in the UniBond League, Michael Norton, who has netted 24 times so far this term.
8:00am Friday 4th January 2008
Witton team
Smith, Coo, Brownhill, Pritchard, Kearney, Drohan, Brodie, Woolley, Warlow, Thornley, Craven.
Subs: Gill, Brown, Rutter.
Pritch making his 600th appearance in an Albion shirt!
Latest: Vics 0 Aldershot 1.[br][size=1]Posted on: January 05, 2008, 03:42:55 PM[/size][hr]Half Time Score: WITTON ALBION 0 CURZON ASHTON 0.
Unibond League Cup latest: Fleetwood 1 Marine 2.
What a pity that isn’t a league game! 
Yesssssssss!
Albion 1-0 up through Rod Thornley.
Latest score: Fleetwood 1 Marine 3.
Albion 2-0 up.
Rod Thornley again, a curler in the top corner.
Vics 1 Aldershot 2.[br][size=1]Posted on: January 05, 2008, 04:59:30 PM[/size][hr]Full Time Score: WITTON ALBION 2 CURZON ASHTON 1.
Curzon pulled a goal back near the end.
Attendance 231.
Many thanks to all who keep me informed while the match is on. I really appreciate all the info. witton widow
Eli did you enjoy that : : : : : : Such a prestige competition
In the absence of Snr Chad (both meaning the Spanish Mr and Senior member of the Chadwick clan), here follows the match report from today.
Unibond League Cup - Fourth Round
Witton Albion 2 Curzon Ashton 1
Thornley 68, 82 Curley 90
Team; Smith, Coo, Brownhill, Pritchard (Cpt), Kearney, Drohan, Brodie, Woolley, Warlow, Thornley, Craven. Subs; Gill (45 replaced Drohan), Brown (68 replaced Craven), Rutter (59 replaced Warlow)
Man of the Match; Steve Brodie – in a makeshift midfield the Witton player was superb in both defence and attack, covering every inch of the Wincham Park pitch.
Att; 231
Two second half goals from Rod Thornley put Witton through to the quarter final stage of the Unibond League Cup. Albion manager Jim Vince took the opportunity to rest five first team regulars, however his side ran out comfortable winners at Wincham Park. Captain Tony Barras was amongst those rested, which appropriately meant Brian Pritchard skippered the side on his 600th appearance for the club.
Despite the Unibond Premier and Division One North leading goalscorers both in the starting line-ups neither side could find the breakthrough in a low key first half. Rod Thornley came closest for the home side on the half hour; his diving header from distance whistled past Carnell’s left post.
Five minutes before the break Curzon’s leading scorer Michael Norton could and perhaps should have given the visitors the lead – he headed wide when he had time and space to bring the ball under control in the box.
Curzon introduced Nick Allen at the break and within minutes the midfielder forced Witton keeper Will Smith to make a fingertip save from his fierce left foot strike.
Albion increased the tempo of the game and with it came the decisive goals. Midway through the second period Rod Thornley latched onto a through ball into the box, despite a hint of handball to bring the ball under control, the striker despatched his shot with a lazy ease past Carnell.
Thornley doubled the lead and his personal tally on 82 minutes. A scuffed clearance fell to his feet on the left edge of the box, his delicate chip from an acute angle floated into the top right hand corner and sealed the victory for the home side.
Chris Curley rattled a left foot shot against the bar on 90 minutes and two minutes later grabbed a stoppage time consolation for the visitors - heading home from close range.
Pitch looked in good nick for the time of the season. ;D
I thought yesterdays game was great to watch…the fringe players played very well and the experience is vital for them.
Couldn’t agree more mate. Wooley in particular was impressive, but Drohan did well til taken off. Curzon played some good stuff and I can see why they are top of their league, but we always seemed like we could up it a gear or two, and I thought the win was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.
Best thing on Sat was seeing Alex Brown back in Albion colours again. Welcome back Alex.