Witton Albion JFC

The 22nd league game of the season involved a local away game against Hartford Stags on the Hartford 3G pitch. After playing on the heavy muddy pitch last weekend it was good for the players to get on a true playing surface even if the weather conditions were atrocious.

The Warriors have played outstanding football this season and in this game the full extent of individual and team player development was there for all to see. The Warriors won the game 7:0 and were dominant in both offensive and defensive play.

The heavy rain and chill didn’t stop the Warriors making a strong start to the game and they dominated early but the Stags kept them at bay playing almost everyone behind the ball. After 5 minutes a notable move involved a strong run by Robbie down the right and a cross to the far post to Liam but he could only find the side netting with an angled shot. Two minutes later the same pair combined in reverse. Liam crossed from the left and Robbie finished with a drive in the centre of the Stags area. 1:0.

In the 9th minute the Warriors scored again. Liam fed Harry down the left side for a strong run beating three of the Stag’s defenders before he squared the ball to Oli, who scored with a firm shot that went in off the post. 2:0.

Warriors should have extended the lead when Liam put Harry through on goal but the keeper advanced and saved at his feet. Chances were coming thick and fast. In the 13th minute Harry flicked on Cathal’s goal kick to put Robbie clear but he shot just wide.

Hartford were trying to play out from the back but the Warriors pressing game was causing them problems in that regard. The Stag’s chances were limited to a couple of long range shots due to the excellent defensive work of the Warriors back three.

Lucas picked up a nose bleed after a stray arm caught him straight in the face. That restricted Lucas’s activities in the first half but he made a return in the second half once recovered.

In the 19th minute Ewean and Callum combined to set up Robbie but his shot was well saved low down by the keeper. On 24th minutes Ewean went close with an angled shot across the keeper.

Witton extended the lead further when Robbie was fouled in the area. Robbie took the resulting penalty with a shot to the keepers left. 3:0.

Just before half time Hartford had their best opportunity of the half with a shot across Mason but wide of goal.

Half time 3:0

As the players took their places for the second half the wind picked up with the Warriors kicking into it. It was as if the Stags had turned on the blowers in their favour. The wind turned the momentum of the game and gave Hartford an advantage.

Mason was forced into a fine save in the 32nd minute from a wind assisted drive. In the 36th minute a Hartford corner drifted with the wind and against the Warriors near post.

Hartford were pushing forward and this required the Warriors defence into a rear guard action. Harley did well to get himself between a goal bound shot to deflect the ball behind for a corner.

The Warriors weathered the storm and adapted to the conditions to get back on the offensive. A great move on 45 minutes started with a Cathal throw to Robbie, he in turn found Ewean. With the ‘pass of the day’ and the outside of his right boot, Ewean bent a perfect ball through the Stags defence to put Liam clear but his shot was saved.

On 49 minutes Mason made an excellent save from a strong wind assisted shot. Mason’s ball handling was certainly tested by the conditions and he remained solid throughout.

Towards the end of the game the Warriors had an offensive blitz. Finn played a perfect pass out of defence to Liam who ran half the length of the pitch to score at the near post with a low shot after 50 minutes. 4:0.

In the 52nd minute Robbie had a shot which hit the post. In the goal mouth scramble that resultde in Ewean being fouled and a penalty was awarded. Callum took the penalty and scored.5:0.

A minute later Ewean played in Robbie who scored with a shot inside the near post. 6:0

On 55th minute and following Ewean’s powerful run down the right, Robbie had a shot saved but the rebound fell to Harry and he couldn’t miss. 7:0.

Seven goals in appalling conditions and a clean sheet was testament to the tremendous overall team play in this game. This was capped off with the result from the game played on the adjacent pitch with Hartford FC defeating Winsford Diamonds United 2:1 to put the Warriors in a position of needing a single point from the five remaining league games.

Man of the match went to Robbie, who with a hattrick and admirable midfield play was central to the team’s performance.

Next weekend we have a break from league fixtures. A friendly home game has been arranged against Grappenhall Tigers, who are a second division side. This game will give the players the opportunity to experience playing a purportedly better quality side.