Good win today, gutsy performance. Class goal from Rod Thornley, who had a great game, as did Macca, but couldn’t argue with CC as MoM. That’s the sort of result that can win us the league. And, as Picko observes, some other results today haven’t been too bad either!
If I heard it right, the attendance was 447 - not bad on a wet and windy day, so all credit to the fliers.
A fine performance against a cynical team. I think Hednesford should consider themselves fortunate on two counts; firstly that they only conceded three goals and secondly that their actions were punished by such a low number of cards by an incredibly leniant referee. We seemed half asleep at the back for the opening goal, but that clearly woke us up and we adapted to the conditions very well. The move down the left late on was stunning, and deserved a goal.
Thought the officials actually did very well as regards decision making (apart from missing the deliberate handball in the box near the end), but I cannot comprehend why Hednesford were allowed to go largely unpunished for their disgraceful tactics. One has to assume that the players were following the instructions of their manager, and if that is the case Mr. Starbuck should take a long look at himself and consider whether he really should be involved with the playing side of running a football team.
Even the strong arm tactics of Starbuck’s men couldn’t phase the mighty Albion.
3-1 a fair result and once again we have shown that level of patience by killing the game off in the 2nd half.
Cavell Coo was a good choice by the sponsors as MoM, but McPherson deserves a special mention, the boy done good!
Bring on the Ossett.
Fully agree with Mr Turner, Hednesford were dirty, cynical, and devoid of any real talent. The fact that their number 2 told the Hednesford bench that it was "party time" before trying to split Macca in half for the red card says everything you need to know about them.
Mr Starbuck and his bunch of thugs are in for another season of mid table mediocrity by the looks of things…
[b]Witton Albion 3 Hednesford Town 1
A MAGNIFICENT SEVENTH FOR ALBION![/b]
When these two clubs met in last season’s fixture Witton’s casualty list included five stitches and two x-rays. It will have come as no surprise to manager Jim Vince that Albion’s busiest man on the pitch was once again the club’s physio!
The Pitmen took an early lead on seven minutes, with the club’s leading scorer Ross Dyer heading home against the run of play.
Witton captain Tony Barras was stretchered off on 14 minutes with an injury that will see him sidelined for six weeks. His replacement in defence Ian Kearney made an instant impact levelling for Albion 5 minutes after coming on. Hednesford failed to clear a Mark Peers free kick and when the ball was played back into the box hesitation on the part of keeper Rene Gilmartin and his defence allowed KEARNEY to get a foot to the ball which rolled over the line.
The equaliser settled the home side who came close to taking the lead through another Peers free kick which this time beat the wall but could only find the side netting. The biggest surprise at half-time was that referee Mr Thorley had shown only one yellow card for a series of crunching challenges.
Albion’s breakthrough came on the hour, midfielder Steve Brodie collected an Adam Warlow ball on the right hand side and whipped in an early low cross to Rod THORNLEY who beat Gilmartin at his near post with a first time shot.
On 68 minutes the visitors were reduced to 10 men, Neil Briscoe shown an instant red for a stamping challenge on Witton’s former Pitman Dave MacPherson. Albion took immediate advantage when on 70 minutes Adam WARLOW scored his thirteenth goal of the season. A neat Mark Peers through ball left Warlow one on one with the advancing Gilmartin and he slotted home from12 yards.
Football triumphed over force to extend Witton’s perfect home record to seven wins in seven.
Star Man; Ian Kearney – replacing the injured captain in the central defence on 14 minutes. With the side a goal down Kearney levelled the score after 5 minutes on the pitch and did not put a foot wrong for the remainder of the game!
Next best; Dave MacPherson – the former Hednesford captain kept his cool despite being kicked for 90 minutes. He continues his influence over the Albion midfield.
Match Rating; 4/5
WITTON; Kennedy, Coo, Brodie, Pritchard, Barras (Capt), Spearritt, MacPherson, Lloyd, Warlow, Thornley, Peers. SUBS; Kearney (14 Barras), Crowe (72 Thornley), Dillon (82 Peers)
Agree 100% with Mike and Greenie, in the 3 recent games against Hednesford they have been complete thugs and frankly the 0 points from 9 is all they deserve for their approach. I have not seen a dirtier side at this level (and I am prepared to include Telford last season in that statement)! Some of their tackles can end players careers and it should not be allowed at any level. What is a shame is that they have one of two capable players, especially the goalscorer Dyer. If they choose to play the way they do then they deserve nothing, their position in the league is down to bullying the opposition not beating them at football.
On a more positive note, a crowd of 447 is our best this season, well done folks, let’s keep going. An average for the 7 games of 382. After 7 home games last season our average was 271. Next target is to average over 400. With 4 homes games before the New Year let’s get to over 400!!!
Well done to the players today, tough game and to lose the captain at 0-1 down and come back to win 3-1 shows great character.
;D
I have to agree with most peoples assessment of Hednesford. A big and VERY physical team. Although the ref was hesitant in getting his yellow card out, I thought he had a fair game. Special mentions to Cav Coo, Macca and Ian Kearney, all outstanding today. It was all a bit flat really today until Thornley’s goal, it is never easy against such a physical team, but the lads stuck to their guns and good football prevailed in the end.
Good results elsewhere today too…9 points clear now, and what a goal difference… plus 31. Really good attendance today, it is a pleasure to see so many people at the ground on such a cold and windy day, bodes well for the future. Come on you Albs !
Despite Hednesfords softening up tactics in the first half Brazil turned it on in the second half. Stevie Brodie’s pass for Thornleys goal was well worth the admission money.
Cavell Coo had a great game as did several others but for me Mr Cool Steve Brodie MoM
Another great aspect of the performance today was the difficulty in choosing a man of the match. Hard to single any player out (however you have to pick one for the Non League Paper report).
I would agree that Cav had an excellent game both defensively and in attack.
I believe that Brodie has the best first touch at the club and he swapped sides effectively with Peers, as Eli said the ball for our second crucial goal was inch perfect.
Thornley’s first time finish would befit any premiership striker (really), to beat a keeper at his near post requires real precision.
Warlow timed his shot perfectly beneath the advancing keeper.
Macca has arguably been one of best performers of the last month and again today I thought he was very cool and professional - not easy when getting lumps kicked out of you.
Then of course Pritch, he was his usual dependable self, over the course of a full season will anyone be more consistent, had another good game today.
Conclusion; for the NLP report I went with Kearney. Coming into a game of that pace after 14 minutes is difficult in any position, but to take up the role in central defence for the injured captain was a huge responsibility. We were one down at the time and whoever scored next was going to have a big part in the outcome. Within 5 minutes of being on the pitch it was Ian who reacted quickest to the indecision in the Hednesford defence. More than that, we did not concede again whilst Kearney was on the pitch. I thought his workrate was excellent and he looked very alert. Despite not always being chosen from the start my impression is that the lad is very committed to making a first team place his own and has dealt with being on the bench in an exemplary manner. I think we all feel that he could be a big part of the club’s future and his professionalism shone through today.
Men of the match would have made it easier but with the need to pick one I think he deserved the credit today.
Quite agree with the above assessment of Ian Kearney - great game today, and I think he’s got a great future with us. It says a lot about Witton when a player of his calibre can’t command a regular place in the starting lineup, but I hope he’s not discouraged by that, and sticks with us.
Very disappointed with the way Hednesford played. I thought they were a disgrace last season, but seeing them in second place (behind us) in the fair play league, I presumed they’d turned over a new leaf. Maybe they have - but certainly not today! At least they got their just desserts.
Great result today not only for Witton but for football in general!
Hopefully more of these to come…
Great performance from the lads yesterday under very intimidating circumstances, to say Hednesford were physical is a understatement, and I was lead to believe they have cleaned up their act this season. Agree with a number of the posts that Ian Kearney was MOM and Macca, in my opinion a close second.
Interseting comments on Hednesfords web site were that Brisco (the nutter that nearly killed Macca) was sent off for 50 - 50 challenge and that Macca got him sent off! I didnt notice a cyclops in the crowd did you? one of the posts does read "Good team Witton this season" at least they got it right in the end.
Negel said on the air waves on Friday that this was one of the best footballing teams he’s seen at Witton, I’m just a bit older than Nigel and I can assure him and Jim that this is the best football side Ive seen to grace the famous red and white stripes - Its just like watching West Brom
I’ve just seen that, according to one poster on the Hednesford site, they should have had a penalty, and I quote, "for obstruction"!
As Greenie pointed out, their guy apparently said ‘it’s party time’ before steaming into a ‘50/50’ tackle with Macca… Idiots.
On a brighter a note, a bloke stood near my Dad said it was the first time he’d been down to watch Witton since the Conference days, but he’d had a very professional looking flyer left on his car windscreen so he thought he’d come down and have a look… So well done to all those invlved with designing and distributing the flyers - they really are having an influence on the attendance.
Don’t suppose we will see him again if he was stood near your old man Robbo ? ;D
Harsh Eli if not mildly amusing 
It is great to hear that feedback Robbo. We did not expect a stampede at the turnstiles yesterday but to hear that someone had come down as a direct result of the leaflet is excellent news. It is not just the one time they come (and spend gate money and hopefully buy a programme/pint/etc) but also the fact that after yesterday they decide to come to the Ossett game next Saturday.
This is an ongoing process of attracting more people to the club and the more successes on and off the pitch will make a big difference. I also spoke to someone yesterday (hopefully not the same person) who was watching their first game for a number of years. He asked me who the new lad at right back was who he thought was excellent and the small lad at numer 11!
If you have not read this elsewhere already then note that we had the largest attendance in the Unibond Premier yesterday (as well as our biggest crowd) with 447 watching! Both Fleetwood and Buxton were also at home. This means we are making progress! Huge thanks to everyone who dished out the flyers, if you have any left then try and get them out this week. You are helping YOUR club to grow!
Not too much to add that hasn’t already been said on the game. Hednesford got what they deserved - however Satrbuck was very successful at Hucknall with the same approach. Fortunatley we have the quality and patience to get the 3 points. In fairness teams must be wondering how to play against us now. we effectivley gave Hednesford a 1 goal lead, disrupted the defence and were still worthy winners.
As for the leaflets, we had actually run out yesterday as people were asking for more to distribute! Don’t think I’ve ever known us have too many offers of help!
For peoples interest we also had some takers on the guardian vouchers too which will continue to be run in upcoming papers. (thanks to the guardian again)
Fair credit to Hednesford for a few travelling fans - 400 at home though is a good sign at this stage in the season of the progress we are making.
Roll on next Saturday - lets be havin ya!
Great game yesterday, it was a battle and a big 3 points earned.
The attendence was fantastic well done to everyone involved with the leaflets, lets keep these ideas going as it is obviously worth it…
Cracking team battling performance Cav Coo and Kearney were awesome!
Roll on Saturday! ;D ;D ;D ;D
[color=red]COME ON WIIIIIIITTTTTTTEEEEERRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!![/color]
Well done again lads I nipped down to the ground after work to pick up a few leaflets and everyone I spoke to were really proud of the performance, get on the phone to CheshireFM on Friday and lets keep spreading the word.
For those not at the game;
http://www.wittonalbionfc.com/othervideos.php?video=witton%20goals.wmv&fixture_id=67
Better than that write to both papers - today, and let our enthusiasm rub off onto other absentees!
Great performance on Saturday, in pretty tricky conditions with the wind.
Too many to mention who had good games, the team were mom! And the young No.4 ;)was outstanding second half.
Thanks to all concerned who helped make our main sponsors welcome, they had a great day and went away impressed by what they saw.