Witton vs Hednesford

AFCTUPaul · 20 February 2007 23:47

Just to correct you, Butler was sent off for a headbutt against another club. Against Telford he went in two footed on one of our players which I don’t think he even got booked for! Darren Alexander was sent off against Telford for another two footed challenge - they must practice this in training!

Looking forward to coming to Witton, should be a fantastic game - Its a shame the game is a midweek fixture otherwise the attendance could have been 1000+.

I’ve no doubt we will bring a few hundred though, as I’m sure it will be a game not to be missed.

Neil · 21 February 2007 00:03

When do I wake up?
Oh no its is actually happening. ;D

Well we must now consider ourselves serious title contenders, points in the bag count for a lot but so does a fantastic team - we are capeable of doing it for sure!

Just have to keep the momentum going - bring a friend on Saturday - lets raise the roof and continue the march.

Good to see Telford are panicing - that tells its own story!

Picko · 21 February 2007 00:45

Is it just me or did the 15 mins or so that Hednesford tried to play football they didn’t look that bad a team? why they tried to kick us off the park for the rest of the game is beyond me, football being played as it should won today well done boys I just hope we can patch up everyone to put a side out on saturday (a flashback to days gone by today too, Pritch with a full head of hair!!!, well so it looked with my poor eyesight)

CHAD · 21 February 2007 00:57

Couldn’t really sleep after this performance ;D ;D

UniBond Premier Division Tuesday February 20th 2007

WITTON ALBION 3 HEDNESFORD TOWN 0 att 340

TEAM: Kennedy; Spearritt, Pritchard, Barras, Brownhill (Hockenhull 73); Peers, Lloyd, Brown (Clegg 70), Connors ; Warlow, Jones G. (Moseley 37)

Albion yet again this season laid a bogie team with an absolutely outstanding performance against the side sitting immediately above them. They had to endure arguably the best any team this season has thrown at them in the opening 30 minutes. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and thank goodness Albion were able to re-sign Jon Kennedy. An incredible chain of events in the first 20 minutes saw three Witton players forced to leave the field, firstly Alex Brown who returned after 3 minutes with a new shirt following a cut. Next Brian Pritchard absent for 10 minutes and back wearing a No 16 shirt, following 5 stitches in a head wound and wearing a woolly hat over reams of bandages. Whilst he was off Griff Jones collided with the keeper and so Albion had a 3 minute spell with just 9 men on the field.

All this played into Town?s hands and they launched attack after attack. Kennedy had already thwarted ex Albion forward Dave Whittaker by pushing his shot out for a corner before the impressive Justin Jenkins struck his shot onto the top of the crossbar. The incident with Jones and the keeper saw the ball drift agonisingly wide of the post in a rare Witton counter attack in the 21st minute. Twice in as many minutes Kennedy then produced good saves from Jenkins, pushing one to his left for a corner and saving the other when he clutched the ball into his midriff.

With Albion back to 11 men the 30 minute mark saw Tom Spearritt the catalyst when he galloped upfield and just when it appeared he?d pushed the ball too far forward he won it back off Jamie March and there was GRIFF JONES to stab the ball home past Ryan Young. Seven minutes later the brave Jones was withdrawn, still suffering from concussion from his earlier tangle with Young.

The goal certainly stopped Hednesford in their tracks and on 43 minutes it was 2-0, Rob Lloyd left three defenders in his wake before appearing to create enough space for a shot himself, instead though he spotted ADAM WARLOW to the left of goal, passed to him and the striker?s 20th goal of the season was driven low past a defender and the keeper.

Whatever the Pitmen?s manager Phil Starbuck said at half-time saw them come out intent on stopping Albion at all costs. Within a minute Richard Butler somehow escaped a caution as he tripped Mark Peers en route to goal, March though did get a caution a minute later. Kennedy again thwarted Jenkins before one of the worst two-footed lunges on Steve Connors saw Butler rightly dismissed with centre-back Tom Marshall also yellow carded in the 52nd minute.

Peers saw his curling effort claimed by Young whilst Liam Brownhill?s low shot from distance evaded the near post. Connors returned to the fray, fired up as usual and managed to get himself booked, however with most people expecting him to be substituted Jim Vince?s action was more than justified when on 65 minutes, following a superb bit of wizardry, Mike Moseley?s cross was converted by STEVE CONNORS sliding in bravely between bodies.

Try as they could Town were unable to get anything out of the game and again in the added injury time Jenkins came closest for them, this time shooting wide of the target.

Mike_T1 · 21 February 2007 00:59

Thought that the sending off could easily have been the third red card for Hednesford. In the first half, the only decision the ref had to make for the challenge on Griff Jones was whether to give the keeper a red or yellow, the penalty was a given. To give a goal kick was farcical. Then the foul on Mark Peers just outside the area, the only choice open to the ref was did he give a red card for a deliberate foul by the last defender or a red card for attempting to hack off Peers’ legs at the knees! What happens? I don’t think the defender was even spoken to. Hednesford need to fundamentally change their approach if they are to win friends.

Is there anyone out there who was at the game who can provide a plausible explanation for just 3 minutes of time being added on at the end of each half? Trebling that would have been more realistic.

We’re in a great position now, just got to keep it going. Massive game against Telford of course, but all games will be massive from now on. We’re going to drop points, but so will everybody else. We’ve got a great squad and there seems to be a fantastic spirit about all aspects of the club. This will be a season to remember.

FOX · 21 February 2007 03:17

So, this is how it went, as I said ‘not been for bout 5 years since’ blah blah !!
Anyway (JUST GOT HOME FROM BOOZER AFTER CELEBRATING) Brought two mates along tonight, both a bit wary, a couple of beers en route and arrive at ground (or so I thought)see floodlights glaring and its like they’re calling me home, follow cars down to ground and think "bugger me they’ve sold the car park and built on it", much dismay, carry on to end of road, too busy talkin and !!JESUS F’in Hell, I’ve been drawn like a moth to the bright lights of ‘A GREEN AND WHITE HELL’ what shame, I can hardly bring myself to explain how it happened, I heard my departed life long Witton loving Dad whisper lovingly " OY DICK HEAD, WRONG F’in GROUND"
Shoutin at the stewards ‘make way, I’ve been tricked by the Devil himself’ I made my escape and found the sanctuary that is ‘WITTON’.
Few more sherberts in club, me payin, only way my mates would come, and into the PACKED arena !!! Sorry but what the f’*k does a team have to do to get local support, we came 25 miles and found a crowd I’d have expected at Nantwich, Witton deserves MUCH better.
Saying that the ones behind the goal gave great voice, even a zigga zagga Albion thrown in.
As for the game, didn’t think we were that great first half but bloody hell we take our chances well, first goal top drawer finish and number two great move, classy finish, nearly choked on my pie when that went in, pies are still bloody good !!
Again goal number three was a great move and on top we’ve got an exceptional keeper, it looks really promising, only worry being with gates like this, ‘how does Witton progress?’,
Anyway I’ll be back , thanks for a great night Witton.
Oh ps, bring back ‘YOU WIN AGAIN’ (BEE GEES) over tannoy after each win, or did it get worn out.

Robbo · 21 February 2007 08:14

I managed to drag a mate from work down last night, and he loved it. He came to the Fleetwood games too, and thought the same then. It’s just getting people to commit to coming for the first time that’s a problem, especially with Man U being on telly. As long as though who do come down enjoy themselves and keep singing their hearts out then we should be ok for now.

If we keep this run going i’m sure the gates will increase for the title run-in ;D

Johnny · 21 February 2007 08:37

Another crackin win for us last night, am only sorry I couldnt have been there to see it… its exciting times ahead for us now ;D

Macca · 21 February 2007 08:56

We’re on the march with Jimmy’s army!

Hednesford came to spoil last night, with some very physical play, and it was effective up until we scored and then after that it was a very comfy 3-0.

Yes we could moan about the officiating, and yes we could complain about thier strong-arm tactics, but for once on this forum I am simply going to praise Jim, Benny, the players, the fans, and the medical staff, who had more involvement last night than I’ve seen in any one game.

It would be good if someone from the club kept us up to date with the bumps and knocks the lads got last night, especially Griff.

GEGEGE · 21 February 2007 10:07

A quick update on the injuries from last night’s battle (!)

Pritch - had 5 stitches but is ok for Saturday.
Connors - Had X-ray but had bruising. OK for Saturday.
Griff - Had X-ray on fractured cheekbone - unsure at present on fitness for Saturday.

Excellent performance - full credit to Emma last night also - didn’t she do well!!

GE

Macca · 21 February 2007 10:09

Thanks Graham - Are you confirming that Griff has a fractured cheekbone, or was he x-rayed on the suspicion that it is fractured?

witton_mad_scad · 21 February 2007 13:03

Just woken up from one hell of a night last night made all the more better by the fact that i managed to get to a computer at some time and see that witton had triumphed! shortly after that i got a phone call from me dad sayin he had bin to the game! (second time this year! first bein a big gate but a bad performance from albion i think!) and he said that he thouroughly enjoyed himself and he will definately be going back again sometime soon! I am so happy we beat hednesford, if im honest i expected us to win by the odd goal but not 3-0! Well done lads! I hope griff is ok, was gutted when i read in chad’s that he had to go off! Roll on saturday where i shall be watching with intent! I should be available for updates if needed Neil! Come on Witton!

Andy_Chad · 21 February 2007 13:05

Matches like last night aren’t for the faint hearted. Hednesford were no different to the teams that have been succesful in this league before - Burscough, Blyth, Hucknall, Farsley.

All physical teams who can play a bit. But it is great that for the first time since Nigel Gleghorns team, we have a team playing football the right way, entertaining and doing it succesfully.

For that Jim and Benny are to be applauded, along with the backing of the board and just as importantly the supporters.

The situation we find ourselves in at the moment is a testimony to all three elements of the club.

Chris_Lowe · 21 February 2007 15:38

I came all the way from Birmingham last night for the match and I am so glad that I did. The gate wasn’t bad considering the sht were at home and the scm were on the telly and there was a great atmosphere with the old men on the side even joining in the singing - they were very pleased to get the respect of the ape-house bhind the goal! The football was excellent and although Hednesford created a few good chances early on, once we had scored they were never in it. The second goal was the pick of the bunch but all three were excellent. WHS has been telling me how good Witton are but I really didn’t think they were THAT good.

The injuries are disappointing but I have to say that the Connors incident was a 50-50 ball and both players went in with two feet and studs raised. If Connors had got up and the Hednesford player had stayed down, I think the ref would have sent Connors off! That said, they should have been down to 10 men anyway after Warlow was pulled back when through on goal in the first few minutes.

Fantastic entertainment and at last, a real hope of promotion out of that terrible league. Away games at Moor Green and Worcester will suit me a lot more down here in Birmingham than Whitby and Gateshead!

Chris Lowe
Chairman and Sole Member
Albion Supporters Club Birmingham Branch!

The_Wincham_Rabbit · 21 February 2007 17:13

I said the same about the Marine game, another game that would have been very easy to lose and was much harder to win!

Hednesford have got where they are by intimidating the opposition, they are a big side with a few half decent players. Reality is that we were the only ones playing football and we beat them by doing what we do best.

Most impressive for me was how clinical we were in front of goal, as the chant went during the second half, "3 shots, 3 Goals". Good sides put away their chances, our position is no fluke, look at the number of goals scored.

JK was defo man of the match for me, we could have gone one or two down in the opening 20 to 30 minutes and he was superb last night, never looked like letting one in. This set us up for the win, no doubt, the longer it went on the more we took control and the more they lashed out through frustration.

Some of their tackles were horrific, how Connors got back on his feet and continued to play is beyond me - that can end a lads career or season at least. Reality is Connors didn’t want to go off, every credit it epitomizes the spirit throughout the team.

The results against Guiseley, Marine and Hednesford have shown we have the bottle to go all the way - it are the other teams that should be scared.