Full Time Score from The U Lock It Stadium:
Witton Albion 2 FC United of Manchester 3.
Only the second time in sixteen games that Witton have lost to FC United at home.
Not sure what to make of today’s fixture.
Certainly a game of two halves. A fairly evenly match up in the goalless first half, Witton suddenly found themselves two goals down.
The introduction of substitute Rob Hopley seemed to give the home side fresh impetus and having pulled level with ten minutes to go, might, on another day, have snatched an unlikely winner.
Cruel luck that the decisive goal in the 90th minute was seemingly an own goal.
First Saturday win of the season for the visitors, apparently.
Anyone else got an alternative take on this afternoon’s proceedings?
Callum Saunders goal was the sixth successive Northern Premier League game in which he has found the net. No other Witton Albion player has managed that in our NPL history.
The late John Walker in 1979, scored in seven successive league games but that was across two leagues - Cheshire League & Northern Premier.
Thanks to Andrew Simpson for providing that statistic.
[quote=“Peter_M” post=82521]Not sure what to make of today’s fixture.
Certainly a game of two halves. A fairly evenly match up in the goalless first half, Witton suddenly found themselves two goals down.
The introduction of substitute Rob Hopley seemed to give the home side fresh impetus and having pulled level with ten minutes to go, might, on another day, have snatched an unlikely winner.
Cruel luck that the decisive goal in the 90th minute was seemingly an own goal.
First Saturday win of the season for the visitors, apparently.
Anyone else got an alternative take on this afternoon’s proceedings?[/quote]
FC United’s manager’s post-match comments make for interesting listening. He thought they’d gone at 2-2 and said “without their keeper they wouldn’t have won.”
Really enjoyed the 2nd half today. Good atmosphere and once Rob came on we looked dangerous and would be great if he and Callum can play a bit together.
Witton offered nothing for an hour offensively so going 2 down was expected. All the difference when Hopley came on and us going more attacking with a 4 3 3 Baldwin was much better on the left, McKenna looked a different player in attack! He does not like being a full back it seems.
A couple of our players need to be much fitter to be in this team from my and many others view and as for seeing more of Hopley and Saunders together, it’s not likely to happen as Jones is not droppable for the team whoever we sign with this manager. We are still in close to the relegation dogfight we need to get it right soon or could easily be dragged in.
Disappointed to see several players missing today I guess Ryan injured still but where were Nugent, Lawrie and Stubbs all 3 or 4 could have arguably started today?
I don’t think Jones needs to be dropped it’s just nice to have other options to change things about. We did look dangerous when Rob and Callum were up top but if that tactic was from the first minute it may not be as effective, also Rob probably isn’t ready for 90 mins? I think we deserved a draw today but probably the goalkeepers at each end played a part in the final result.
Joshua Paterson was playing for Alsager Town at Ellesmere Rangers.
Selection of photos from today’s game taken by one of the FC United photographers today…
Some fascinating aerial photos of the stadium in the opening pics.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_l_photos/albums/72157720065750206
There are also photographs on Witton Albion’s Club Photographer Karl Brooks website.
I thought both sides cancelled each other out in the first half and then we conceded 2 soft goals early 2nd half. A positive substitution from the manager changed the game and for me there was only one winner at 2-2 but, both keepers affected the result in different ways. Hoppo looked good when he came on and Wardle looked like he’s getting back to something like his best.
4 4 2 suits us better than 5 3 2 in my opinion.
Brilliant to see Hopley influencing the game so much when he came on. Loved his celebration too - he’s clearly still got plenty to offer!
Rob showed he has a lot left. I’d let him play as much as possible and get himself fully fit, Will Jones can be good off the bench as well. Agree though 5 -3-2 or 5-4-1 isn’t that good for us, it can work but we always end with everyone in defence with no outlet conceding possesion and the initiative. UTA
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the pitch fund at Saturday’s game which raised a total of £159.