Witton Albion JFC

The eleventh game of the season allowed the Warriors to pit their wits against the only team to have taken points off them this season thus far. The home game against Vale Juniors Congleton U12 Bears was a contest against a team where the Warriors have often come out second best in previous games. It wasn’t to be the case today with Witton winning 7:2 but the score line doesn’t represent the pattern of the game with Vale putting up a good fight.

Witton made a strong start to the game and quickly got on the offensive creating the early goal scoring opportunities. The Warriors took a deserved lead after 8 minutes. Ewean passed forward to Harry who was on the edge of the Vale area. Harry controlled the ball and shot on the turn with the ball looping over the Vale goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

The lead was extended after 12 minutes. Following a corner, Robbie’s powerful shot on goal was parried by the goalkeeper and Lucas stretched to volley into the goal.

Harry should have scored after 14 minutes when Robbie passed a delightful ball through the Vale defence to put Harry clear on goal, unfortunately he shot wide. Robbie should also have scored after 16 minutes. Ciaran ran down the right wing and passed forward down the line to Robbie who beat the offside and cut in from the wing before shooting across the goal but just wide of the far post.

The missed chances could easily have come back to haunt us. As the first half advanced the Warriors took their foot off the gas, allowing the Vale team to come back into the game. On 20 minutes Vale scored following a good move down the middle of the pitch with Mason beaten by a low shot. The warning signs where there with Vale creating scoring chances with the Witton defensive line stretched.

Half time 2:1

The opening 10 minutes of the second half was dominated by Vale who created a number of goal scoring opportunities. A free kick in front of Mason’s goal was struck at the defensive wall and the shot that followed passed just wide of the post. Vale got a deserved equaliser after 34 minutes when a low shot bobbled up and deceived Mason, who’s initial save looped over him into the goal.

The equalising goal kicked the Warriors back into life with four goals coming in quick succession to kill off the Vale revival. In the 40th minute Ewean’s strong run into the Vale area preceded a square pass to an unmarked Robbie who finished to make it 3:2.

Two minutes later, a turn by Lucas in midfield, totally hoodwinked the Vale defence. Lucas passed out wide to Liam who in turn passed forward down the touch line to Robbie, who cut in from the left to score across the goalkeeper into the far corner. 4:2.

Robbie completed a five-minute hat-trick after Ewean’s initial shot on goal which was saved. The rebound fell to Callum who unselfishly passed to Robbie who scored. 5:2.

It was that man, Robbie, again after 47 minutes. Ciaran picked up the ball in midfield and a cleaver turn presented the opportunity to play Robbie in for a clear run of goal to score. 6:2.

The goal scoring was concluded towards the final whistle. Ciaran passed forward allowing Ewean to run on goal. The keeper rushed forward and was first to the ball but unfortunately for him the ball slipped through his hands allowing Ewean to convert into the empty goal.

Full time 7:2

Man of the match went to Ciaran who had an influential role in the game and worked hard throughout.

Next week’s game is a home game against Tytherington Juniors U12 AFC, who after a slowish start to the season have found recent winning form and have been scoring lots of goals. We anticipate a tough game and we will need to be on our top form.