Missed a few games recently through having other personal committments. My son was home this weekend and we were both there on Saturday and he was impressed too after watching Wycombe the week before. I thought the Albs were absolutely stunning. I think what Jim has done this season is replaced those who left with better more resilient and skilful players. Lets face it Connors would have been off on Saturday. Macca was brilliant in doing what Steve used to do but with better decision making on when to make the tackle and with a more controlled temperement.
Losing Barras was a blow(hope you get fit again soon tony), but Kearney is just so awesome I think he is an outstanding player, powerful, quick, a decent passer and his goal was down to sheer persistence. Rod’s goal was just so quick I don’t think Hednesford knew we’d scored till the Ref pointed to the centre spot!! Very remiscent of Karl Thomas at his best. Don’t want to single anyone out because thev whole team was brilliant but those were the highlights for me. I’ve always rated Macca and was made up when Jim signed him. I also rate Dean Craven so we might see some more of him too. Just goes to show the depth of the squad.
Jim and Nigel absolutely brilliant stuff lets keep it going the only thing we have to watch out for is ourselves but I know you will try to prevent any complacency. I honestly feel that Ossett will be a tougher nut to crack than Hednesford. We need to be on our toes. I’m sorry to say this but Hednesford you need a new manager your strong arm tactics just don’t wash especially when you have several really good players!!
Superb Albion in full control
by John Buckley, Mid Cheshire Chronicle
Witton Albion 3 Hednesford Town 1
WITTON withstood a physical test and kept things in the order to which they are rapidly becoming accustomed on Saturday.
They are more firmly entrenched at the top and deservedly so after performance that befits leaders.
They were not deflected from the purist’s game despite conceding an early goal Hednesford rugged approach. Hard and big are Hednesford and eventually one player gave vent his frustration, former Port Vale defender Neil Brisco being instantly red carded for a nasty foul on ex-teammate Dave MacPherson in the 70th minute.
The visitors had been outplayed but led from the seventh minute when Ross Adams flung a diagonal ball to the far side of the box. Seb Arnolin headed towards the near post and Ross Dyer completed the move with a guided header.
Ian Kearney replaced the injured Tony Barras soon afterwards and 23 minute he became the hero by reaching a loose ball quicker than the defenders following a Rob Lloyd free kick and scoring with an outstretched right foot.
The ever dangerous Mark Peers and MacPherson went close to scoring before the break as did Rod Thornley shortly after the restart as Albion cut Hednesford apart in criss-cross patterns.
In 62 minutes Adam Warlow played a pass to Steve Brodie who thrust the ball in front of Thornley who, like Kearney, was quick than the defenders who were favourite to get there first.
Brian Pritchard nearly wrapped the victory up a minute later but once Brisco had marched there was only one outcome and to prove it Warlow came up with a composed finish. Peers’ pass put him in on goal and his control and bottom corner finish were first class.
Hednesford had some say then, but it only invited a big ending from Albion and two great saves from Rene Gilmartin, both from Brodie, kept the score down.
WITTON: Kennedy; Coo, Pritchard, Barras (Kearney 15), Spearritt; Peers (Dillon 83), Lloyd, MacPherson, Brodie; Thornley (Crowe 73), Warlow.
Att: 447
From the Pitmen’s web-site…hmmmmmm…
http://www.hednesfordtown.com/index.php?categoryid=11&p2_articleid=169
Ah well, I guess there are 2 sides to every story, but it sounds like they hammered us!
I love the one eyed view of the two tackles involving Macca, the difference being subtle in that Macca took the ball in a thunderous challenge, clean as a whistle.
The Hednesford player lunged in over the top, didn’t make any contact with the ball could have seriously injured Macca and deservedly got a red card.
FOOTBALL WAS THE VICTOR AND MACCA GOT THE BEERS IN!!!