Witton Albion v. Stafford Rangers

Weather permitting, Witton return to the U Lock It Stadium for the first of two home games when they welcome Stafford Rangers on Saturday afternoon in a Northern Premier League West Division fixture.

Ben Harrison’s team go into the game in thirteenth place in the table following results elsewhere in midweek, and are looking for their first win in four games.

Stafford are currently in the bottom four but must have been relieved to pick up three crucial points against fellow strugglers Darlaston Town in midweek, their first win since beating Stalybridge Celtic 4-0 in October, a run of fourteen games.

A run of eight successive defeats ended with a battling performance against title-chasing Bury in which they got a point from a 2-2 draw.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season saw Witton come away from the Stan Robinson Stadium with a 3-2 win, courtesy of a Tom Hoyle brace and Joe Duckworth inside the first twenty minutes but then Rangers scored twice to make it a rather nervy finish to the game for the Albion.

Two defeats in the last three games have halted Witton’s progress after three successive wins where they scored goals for fun but, they will be looking to get back to winning ways against a Stafford Rangers team who won’t make it easy for them.

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 be open from 1pm. To access the FanZone - enter the stadium via the turnstiles at the Wincham End of the stadium and walk past the main stand. The FanZone has a bar within it and a seating area. Please note: Alcohol is permitted inside the stadium but MUST be in a plastic beaker.

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.

Given the horrible weather, this might not be on but hope it is and we can get back to winning ways.

Could go either way obviously and I’m past predicting scores lol so hopefully, we are fully fit although Dami Sotona limped off at Mossely!

Think we need to change a couple of things because it has not worked for the last 3 games!

Terry

Walls, Ebhote, Bembo-Leta, Damola Sotona

Deji Sotona, Brazel, Bairstow, Edwards.

Hoyle, Garbutt

Could easily be Duckworth up front because none are shining currently, but we have players on the bench to change things if we need to. UTA

Pitch inspection at 11am.

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The Groundstaff may need additional help to get the game on so announcements regarding that and the scheduled pitch inspection will be announced in the morning.

Should today’s game go ahead, unfortunately there will be no match commentary from the game.

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

Game is ON.

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

Team news: Witton make four changes to the starting line-up beaten at Atherton Collieries last weekend. Ben Dufton-Kelly, Joe Edwards & Deji Sotona all start whilst midfielder Jacob Hamman comes in for his first game since October. Tom Hoyle and Ben Lowe drop down to the bench whilst Joel Bembo-Leta and James Lawrie are not involved.

Witton team:

Cameron Terry, Jack Walls, Damola Sotona, Jacob Hamman, Geffry Ebhote, Ben Dufton-Kelly, Joe Edwards, Alfie Bairstow, Joe Duckworth, Freddy Garbutt, Deji Sotona.

Subs: Harry Brazel, Ben Lowe, Aaron Fleming, Tom Hoyle, Adam Bott.

Former Albion midfielder Jack Sherratt starts for Stafford Rangers.

Early chance for the Albion on 2 minutes but Joe Edwards cross is headed wide by Deji Sotona.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Stafford Rangers 0.

10 minutes played.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Stafford Rangers 1.

John Atherton gives Rangers the lead on 19 minutes.

Joe Edwards goes close to an equaliser on 20 minutes but strikes the crossbar with Rangers keeper Scott Moloney beaten.

Stafford’s Kaiman Anderson shoots over the top on 27 minutes.

Chance for the Albion on 33 minutes but Geffry Ebhote shoots over the top following Alfie Bairstow’s corner.

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Stafford Rangers 1.

35 minutes played.

Rangers keeper Scott Moloney denies Joe Duckworth on 43 minutes following an assist from strike partner Freddy Garbutt.

Half Time Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Stafford Rangers 1.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Stafford Rangers 2.

Stafford extend their advantage on 47 minutes as Geffry Ebhote diverts Kaiman Anderson’s cross past Cameron Terry in the Albion goal.

Yellow card:

Stafford Rangers Harry Flowers on 53 minutes.

Penalty to Stafford Rangers on 56 minutes as Geffry Ebhote brings down Rangers Matty Hearsay in the area.

GOAL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 0 Stafford Rangers 3.

Jack Birch adds Rangers third on 56 minutes - beating Albion keeper Cameron Terry from the spot.

Witton Substitution:

Jacob Hamman replaced by Aaron Fleming on 56 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

Joe Duckworth replaced by Tom Hoyle on 60 minutes.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The U Lock It Stadium:

Witton Albion 1 Stafford Rangers 3.

Substitute Tom Hoyle pulls one back for the Albion on 61 minutes his attempted cross floating over the head of Rangers keeper Scott Moloney - his tenth goal of the season.

Today’s Attendance: 379.