Friendly was worthwhile, says Witton boss (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton Albion boss Brian Pritchard says defeat does not change his view that friendly was worthwhile

4:11pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Sport By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

BRIAN Pritchard, the Witton Albion manager, said he had no regrets after his side succumbed to neighbours Runcorn Town in a friendly last night, Tuesday.

It marked the second time in less than a week that the two teams had met, the visitors delivering a win that their performance deserved when it mattered more in the Cheshire FA Senior Cup.

They overturned an interval deficit to win 3-1 this time.

“From four halves against Runcorn, we’ve played well in one of them,” said Pritchard afterwards, referring to Witton’s display in the early exchanges.

“I was happy at the end of the first half, less so with the second.

“I’m still glad to have had a game, considering we’ve hardly played in the past three weeks, because I think we needed one.

“We picked up a few bumps and bruises, and there were a lot of tired legs by the end, but we’ll regroup at training and move on from there.”

He included new recruit Danny Meadowcroft from the start, withdrawing the former Northwich defender at half time as a precaution, although top scorer Shaun Tuck watched from the sidelines.

In the second half, youngsters Stuart Plant – a goalkeeper – and attacker Adam Bettley, who plays for Cuddington in the Crewe and District League, appeared as substitutes.

Pritchard added: “For us, it was a training exercise when everybody got some minutes in their legs. From that point of view, it’s job done.”

To read a match report from last night, click here: http://bit.ly/XiHkZa