Witton Albion v. Kidsgrove Athletic

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

Currently sitting in fourteenth place in the table, Witton have shown an improvement in recent weeks, losing only one of their last seven games.

Two draws on the road at Sporting Khalsa and Trafford respectively in the last two weeks have been encouraging although, there will be disappointment in allowing a two-goal advantage to slip at Sporting.

The two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Fitzjohn Stadium earlier in the season with Tom Hoyle giving Witton the lead with around twenty minutes to go, before Jack Bromfield levelled things for Grove in the final ten minutes.

The game also sees the return of former Albion striker Tom Pope as part of the management team alongside Matt Rhead, and he will be looking to pose problems for his former employers.

Grove arrive at the U Lock It Stadium one place below Witton in the table, level on points but with two games in hand, having won once in their last four games when beating Atherton Collieries.

There have been no shortage of goals in recent Kidsgrove games, with them conceding nine goals in the past three matches, so there’s hope for an entertaining game.

The form of Joe Duckworth in recent weeks has been pivotal to Albion’s progress with goals in each of his last four games but, the team as a whole have become stronger and perhaps should have had more points than they have.

The form of on loan midfielder Alfie Bairstow has also been encouraging and has played a major part in Witton’s upturn in form.

Another tough game is to be expected and Witton will have to continue in the same vain if they are to carry on the recent good form they have shown.

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.

Stadium Access: Before the game, the stadium is only accessible by way of the turnstiles. Wheelchair users access is via the gate near to the turnstiles at the Wincham End of the stadium.

Disabled Facilities: There are two sections - one at each end of the main stand for Wheelchair users.

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: Please note: Matchday Programmes are now being produced in digital format. QR Codes will be placed around the stadium on matchday for supporters to access it. A link will also be posted on Social Media ahead of each game.

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).

The FanZone will not be open for the game. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Please note: Alcohol is permitted inside the stadium but MUST be in a plastic beaker.

We now have Re-usable Cups for a £2 deposit(Returnable) - Same rules but a different design.

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: Prior to the game and again during the half time interval a Brass Band will be performing a selection of Christmas Carols.

Full match commentary will be available on https://radio-witton.mixlr.com with Iain Wright, Andrew Nelson, Nick Evans, Alex Trainor and Jackie from 2.45pm

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

Will try to catch this on our radio channel, will be a physical challenge the way they play so we have to match that first then play some football.

Team wise it’s not easy but I think the 4 4 2 again with

Terry

Farrall, DKelly, BLeta. Fleming

J Edwards, Bairstow, Brazel, C Edwards.

Garbutt, Hoyle

Good luck whoever plays. UTA

Witton team news & latest score updates will appear here as and when they become available.

Team news: Witton make three changes to the starting line-up that drew at Trafford last Saturday. Damola Sotona, Tom Hoyle & Ben Lowe all start. Freddy Garbutt & Harry Brazel drop down to the bench whilst Joel Bembo-Leta is unavailable. Adam Bott comes into the squad.

Witton team:

Cameron Terry, Damola Sotona, Aaron Fleming, Alfie Bairstow, Tom Farrall, Ben Dufton-Kelly, Christy Edwards, Ben Lowe, Joe Duckworth, Tom Hoyle, Joe Edwards.

Subs: Freddy Garbutt, James Lawrie, Harry Brazel, Adam Bott, Jeanny Akpo.

Former Albion striker Tom Pope is not involved for Kidsgrove.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Kidsgrove Athletic 1.

Bad start for the Albion as Isaac Phillips gives Grove the lead in the first minute.

PENALTY to the Albion on 4 minutes.

Yellow card:

Kidsgrove Athletic’s Ryan Brown on 4 minutes for bringing down Joe Duckworth.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 1.

Joe Edwards equalises from the spot for the Albion on 5 minutes.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 2.

Shaquille Master restores Kidsgrove’s advantage on 9 minutes heading home from Alex Barnett’s cross.

20 minutes played - Kidsgrove Athletic still lead 2-1.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 3.

Henry Brereton increases Grove’s lead on 25 minutes shooting low past Cameron Terry in the Albion goal.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 4.

Shaun Rhodes adds Kidsgrove’s fourth on 27 minutes tapping home from close-range.

Witton Substitution:

Ben Dufton-Kelly replaced by Freddy Garbutt on 31 minutes.

Yellow card:

Kidsgrove Athletic’s Travis Capey on 31 minutes.

Chance for Kidsgrove on 45+1 minutes but Travis Capey’s header misses the target.

Half Time Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 4.

Witton Substitution:

Christy Edwards replaced by Jeanny Akpo on 46 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

Tom Farrall replaced by Harry Brazel on 50 minutes.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 4.

55 minutes played.

Witton Substitution:

Ben Lowe replaced by James Lawrie on 67 minutes.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 4.

75 minutes played.

85 minutes played - Witton still trail 4-1.

Kidsgrove keeper Ryan Brown saves from Joe Duckworth on 85 minutes parrying his effort.

Kidsgrove keeper Ryan Brown denies Joe Edwards on 90+2 minutes.

Witton go close to a second goal on 90+3 minutes but Joe Duckworth’s attempt strikes the crossbar.

Full Time Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 4.

Today’s Attendance: 280.

Witton are in action again next Saturday when they travel to Chasetown in a Northern Premier League West Division fixture.

That was a very depressing day. I am struggling to say a single positive thing from that first half.

Kidsgrove’s third goal was brilliant.

But, we made them look step 3.

They ran rings round us.

I love, love, love this club…

But that first 45 minutes was the worst I’ve ever seen.

Sorry, Ben, but it’s time to go.

Top bloke, top player, but you are holding this team back.

That is not good enough and we will be in the Midland League if you carry on.

We deserve more.