Witton Albion JFC

Our eighteenth league game of the season pitted the Warriors in an away game against Tytherington Juniors U12 AFC. After a slow start to the season Tytherington have been on form recently chasing down Winsford Diamonds in second place. It was expected that Tytherington would provide a stern test and the boggy pitch was a leveller so the Warriors had to be on their ‘A’ game. The heavy pitch certainly tested the fitness of a few.

On Saturday the Warriors took part in the Futsal tournament in Congleton. The seven games played in that tournament had been demanding for the boys who took part and on Sunday morning a few were still nursing knocks and tired legs.

Against Tytherington the boys ran out 5:2 winners but the score line does flatter the Warriors a little and they were certainly given a hard game.

From the kick off the Warriors defence came under pressure with Tytherington attempting to shoot whenever they got within range of Mason’s goal. Fortunately their early efforts were off target. The Tytherington offensive players are rather nippy and our defence including Cathal, Harley, Ben and Oli were kept on their toes throughout.

In the tenth minute of the game the Warriors took the lead. Oli played the ball out of defence to Liam on the left. A pass inside found Ewean who’s crafty flick knocked the ball behind the Tytherington defensive line and gave Callum a clear run to score with a shot into the bottom left of the goal.

From the restart Tytherington mounted an attack which led to a shot passing just wide of Mason’s goal frame. In the 14th minute another attack by Tytherington required Mason to be at full stretch with a fingertip save to guide a shot over the bar.

The game was quite open with both teams playing good passing football on a difficult sticky pitch.

On 15 minutes Harry was played-in for a run down the right, his speculative shot was saved by the keeper but the momentum carried the ball on to the foot of the Tytherington post and out.

In the 20th minute. Callum, who again had an excellent game, pressed a Tytherington defender into a mistake. Callum crossed the ball into Harry who hit a shot on the run which just cleared the cross bar. Shortly later from a Harley corner, the Tytherington defensive clearance only reached Robbie on the edge of the area. Robbie took aim but his shot was blocked. After a scramble the ball found Harry who guided a shot into the net. 2:0.

Half time 2:0

At half time we reviewed the usual team formation. With a number of players showing some fatigue we sacrificed the right winger position for a defensive midfielder to help protect our back line from the Tytherington attacks. Brad and Lucas played the position in the second half to great effect.

On 35 minutes a Witton corner was cleared but only to Harley. He knocked the ball back into the danger zone to Ewean who’s tame shot was spilled by the keeper and the ball rolled over the goal line. 3:0.

Tytherington continued to keep the Witton defenders busy and there was need for a number of last ditch tackles and scrambled clearances to keep Tytherington out. In the 40th minute Tytherington were awarded a contentious penalty for handball which was converted with a straight drive to give Tytherington additional optimism of hauling themselves back into the game. 3:1.

The Warriors continued to attack and a shot by Ewean required the keeper to make a diving fingertip save to keep the ball out of his goal after 44 minutes. A minute later the Warriors scored to dampen the Tytherington revival. Ewean’s strong run down right beat the Tytherington defenders and he crossed into Harry in front a goal. Harry controlled the ball and scored with a well-placed shot beyond the keeper. 4:1.

Tytherington hit the post in the 52nd minute following a well worked counter-attack the length of the pitch.

The Witton lead was further extended after 55 minutes. Liam on the left wing played in a ball to Harry who was surrounded by defenders in the Tytherington area. Harry’s clever turn deceived the defence and he laid on Callum to hit a drive ball past the keeper for his second goal of the game. 5:1.

Tytherington continued to attack and Lucas was required to clear off the line with two minutes left before Mason made a good save with his legs. There was still time for a mad scramble in the warriors area from which Tytherington scored again. 5:2.

Full time 5:2

The game was played in good spirits between two well motivated teams which provided good viewing for the spectators. Good will was expressed by the Tytherington team at the final whistle with ‘three cheers for the Witton players’ which was an exceptional show of respect.

Man of the match went to Ben who ran his socks off and made a number of excellent tackles which characterised the hard work put in by the Warriors defence, in this game.

The next game see’s us at home to Grappenhall Sports U12 Lightning