Witton Albion JFC

After a summer of training with limited numbers due to holidays we played our first game back after what seemed an extremely long break. Due to the weather we agreed to play four quarters of 20 minutes each. Facing Hartford once again, we still had players on holiday so with a makeshift back line and our CB dropping into goal for us we got going in the testing heat. Straight from the off the lads pressed with Hartford looking to hit us on the break, we started to take control with some Liverpool style football, however 5 minutes in we get hit from a corner with Hartford scoring a scrappy goal. Not to be disheartened, minutes later the mighty Evan whipped in an absolute beauty of a ball landing on the head of striker Jack after some great build up play to make it 1-1. After a forced change at the back with George coming off with a wrist injury (later discovered to be two broken bones!!) new boy Owen took a leaf out of Bobby Firminio’s book of skill and pulled the ball back over the defender's head and volleyed into the bottom corner to make it 2-1. With the heat taking its toll a water break was well deserved. Into the 2nd twenty we continued to control, just failing to make the most of it, Hartford constantly looking dangerous on the break with half-time looming with applied pressure we get a corner that is defended well with ball landing at Matty’s feet. Matty volleys into the back of the net only for the ref to blow for half-time!! After a brief discussion between Matty and the ref the goal stands - score 3-1. 2nd half underway and the heat starts to take its toll - Hartford got into it with some good football going through 1 on 1 with deputy Connor saving brilliantly with his chest like any good keeper would. As the game wore on and legs were tiring, up pops Jordy to make his return to the team even more important with a goal - after a terrific cross he muscled his way into the box forcing the ball over the line 4-1. With game coming to a close Hartford finished strongly scoring a free-kick into the top corner which only the great Allison would have saved. Final score Witton 4 Hartford 2. Special shout out to Connor for stepping up and going in goal. Between them New lad Owen and Tommy controlled the middle of the park and were ‘making things happen’. With the players yet to come back in from holidays it is going to be exciting season! Excellent performance from the team as a whole - they all put a decent shift in. MOM from a coaching perspective goes to Jacko for his never-stop-running attitude and his constant threat, followed by Aiden and Matty for their solid performance in the makeshift back 3.