Witton Albion JFC

Veteran supporter and erstwhile club blogger/photographer Paul Johnson led the intrepid Witton Albion Wolves over the arduous “13 mile” trek from the Knights Grange car park to the pitch today. Water bottles were hauled by the supporting Sherpa team and Jody was left at base camp to direct the remainder of the expedition to the correct way-point. Only two players were temporarily lost, as Noah and Ollie circumnavigated the neighbouring athletics “track” but after spotting the frantic waves of the guide, made it to the pitch just in time for kick off. Witton were playing Jason’s new Winsford Diamonds team, comprised of last year’s Middlewich squad, and were awarded the usual warm welcome with some envious glances from the Winsford management team at the magnificent whiteboard grasped by Witton chief Chris.

As the Witton Wolves skipped prettily on to the pitch, they decided that the opposition would not be awarded with the usual dozy 1 goal head-start, but instead generously gave 3 goals after some wonderfully shocking play in almost all areas of the pitch. Tom A and Ollie were alone in keeping position and snapping away at the Winsford heels as they poured forward against a slumber-some Witton outfit, or as one long-suffering fan exclaimed; “he’s not had his Weetabix, HE’S not had his Weetabix, ohhh there’s another one”. After some emergency substitutions, Witton began to stabilise as Elliot W and Ollie grabbed a goal each and Witton were unlucky not to “win” the first half with a number of chances going a-begging as Luke began to exchange cleverly with Theo, then Ewan on the left and Elliot J provided some solid cover at the back.

If Witton thought they had the upper hand, they received another rude awakening as Winsford roared into the attack and assisted by some slapstick Witton defending, they accumulated a further 5 goals. The Witton manager slumped to his knees, but the large “zulu” substitutions forced on the Winsford manager allowed Witton to again regain the upper hand. Captain Lewis, who had been surging back and forth on the right flank, was able to break through more and Witton were flowing forward gloriously with a solid backbone provided by Finn and Noah. Goals from Thomas (2) and another from Elliot W brought Witton back into contention and late chances for Keegan and Thomas, with even goalie Alex being thrown forward in the last minute, almost drew Witton deservedly level.

Although the Witton Manager threw himself into the brambles towards the end of the game, it was another fantastic game of football and with the Wolves only firing on 1 cylinder (out of a possible 6, because Witton could be that powerful) thus far, a zero point start to the season is not concerning the Witton management team yet. “Next game…..my friends…next game” was heard from the depths of the bramble bush. After the game, Witton chief Chris was looking forward to reviving this friendly local rivalry with Winsford later in the season: “there was no quarter given, but I don’t think there was a foul in the whole game today. If we can keep the boss in the bramble bush then I’m confident we’ll start to pick up points soon”.

Captain’s Man of the Match: Elliot W
Manager’s Man of the Match: Keegan
Manager’s moment: Elliot W pressed, tackled & shot = goal!