Witton Albion JFC

Howard was the only manager available to welcome Sandbach U18 to Moss Farm Sunday afternoon (with Dean off celebrating his birthday and Dave running around delivering tables). The pressure was on a 10-man Sandbach side from the start with Jack coming through with a goal in the first 5 minutes and Callum shaving the cross bar soon after. Back to normality on the sides once Dave turned up (sigh of relief from Howard), but on the pitch Witton totally dominating possession; keeping Sandbach pinned in their own half, some fantastic football played all over the pitch with Ellis making a 30 minute cameo and causing mayhem down the left, Josh as usual dictating play, Evan and Matty winning everything in the centre, the front line running in behind, and the back line looking a little bored. More than a few chances passed by until we made it 2-0, Josh whipping in a delightful free-kick which evaded everyone and slammed into the back of the net. Our back line were tested occasionally with Sandbach’s never give up attitude, but this was dealt with expertly. We soon made it 3-0, another corner and another goal for Owen H, he climbs highest for a header straight in to the net. More chances are created and soon before half-time we make it 4-0, Callum popping up with a HEADER of his own after some great team play. Half-time 4-0. With the second half seemingly won we made changes to both formation and players and whilst we lost our way a little the emphasis was to keep playing the Witton way, Sandbach coming back into it after the disruption of the change but again dealt with superbly by a new look back 4. Now it was Owen B's turn to get on the score sheet - Matty plays in an excellent ball, Owen takes it down Bobby Firmino style, turns and finishes expertly to make it 5-0. Now with the game out of sight you’d expect the Sandbach heads to drop, but no, they battled and battled and got a well deserved goal just for their attitude alone; the forward intercepts a cross field pass and fires low into the bottom corner 5-1. Now for our favorite goal of the day which was every way the Witton way; ball played into Owen B who takes it down with the most delicate of touches into Josh’s feet first time ball released Jack who made the finish look easy (which it wasn’t) when under pressure from defender and keeper and rolls it into the bottom corner to make it 6-1.
Words from the Sandbach manager - 'excellent team with great players - don’t ruin it for yourselves with needless reactions on the pitch, they are so much better than that'. Couldn't agree more. Thanks to Sandbach for a great game.
Ben - hope the injury isn’t too bad. Dean - Happy Birthday.