Witton Albion JFC

Round seven of the league matches involved our first home game of the season against Congleton Rovers U12 Blue. It was a shame the weather provided a rather damp morning for all involved.

When the Division 4 league composition was known, it was anticipated that Congleton would provide our toughest test and offer a benchmark against which we would measure the progress of the team. It was pleasing that our Warriors passed this test with distinction.

It was Congleton who made the early running in the game but despite their early possession they created few scoring chances of note.

It took until the fifth minute for the Warriors settled in to their pattern of play and created a chance that could and should have opened the scoring. Robbie collected the ball in midfield and set about the Congleton defence with one of his trademark runs. Robbie’s shot was saved by the keeper and the ball fell to Ewean on the edge of the box but his shot was deflected behind for a corner. The penetrating run by Robbie was to set the tone with both he and Ewean matching each other in this department.

Witton gained the initiative from this point and took a deserved lead on nine minutes. Another driving run by Robbie brushed the Congleton defence aside and he finished with a well-executed shot into the bottom corner of the goal.

The Warriors created a number of scoring opportunities in the first half with the Congleton defence stretched but somehow the ball stayed out of their goal including Ewean’s shot which struck the frame of the goal and went straight into the fortunate keepers hands.

The Congleton team were lucky to still be trailing by a single goal when they struck back with a counter attack down their left side of the field. A good move concluded with a shot which Mason could only parry into the path of an incoming attacker who levelled the game at 1:1.

From the restart Witton got back on the offensive and again created a number of chances. In the 20th minute it was Ewean’s turn to run at the Congleton defence before smashing a shot into the bottom right corner of the net to give Witton a deserved half time lead.

Half time 2:1.

Early in the second half the Warriors extended their lead further. On 34 minutes, a free kick on the left hand side of the Congleton area was taken by Harry. The shot come cross beat everyone except a Congleton defender on the far past who inadvertently deflected the ball into his own goal.

A few minutes later the woodwork saved Congleton again, with Robbie being the unfortunate attacker on this occasion.

Despite Witton enjoying the lion share of possession in the second half the Congleton team kept themselves in the game. In the 52nd minute Congleton again hit Witton on the counter attack with a goal to reduce the deficit to 3:2.

What could have been an anxious closing few minutes didn’t materialise and the game was put to bed shortly after the Congleton second goal. Putting in a man of the match performance Ewean scored to give Witton a 4:2 victory.

The game was exciting to watch and each member of the Witton team played their part in this well-deserved victory whether it be as defenders, midfield or attacking. Each and every one of them ran their socks off. We are all very proud of them and looking forward to the remainder of the season.

Next up is a game against Grappenhall Sports U12 Lightning at home on Sunday.