Let's learn in defeat, says Pritch (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton Albion manager Brian Pritchard believes Chester taught his side something in county cup clash

1:50am Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

BRIAN Pritchard has promised not to dwell on a defeat to Chester in the Cheshire FA Senior Cup semi finals.

The competition has not been a priority for Witton Albion, contenders to be in play-offs whose prize is to play next season at the level Neil Young’s men are now.

But he hopes his players, among them a back four whose average age was barely above 20, at least learned in a 3-0 reverse that sent the hosts through to a showdown with Stalybridge Celtic.

“We had a bit of a lesson in football,” he said.

“The result is probably a bit harsh, but the difference between the leagues we play in was stark at times.

“Fractions count; those little things that we get away with in the Northern Premier League are punished against a side like Chester, who really impressed me.

“I can see why they don’t lose very often; as a group they win such a high percentage of balls inside the opposition’s half, which forced us to play deeper than we wanted.”

Witton, unbeaten in their previous eight league and cup games, still kept their sheet clean for more than an hour.

Chester scored twice in a six-minute spell to settle the outcome, Marc Williams and then Lee Trundle applying an aesthetically brilliant finish for each.

Pritchard said: “Moments of magic, both of them.

“There’s some disappointment on our part because we didn’t reach a peak, mentally or physically, that we can.

“It’s unlike us not to take more care in the final third, particularly as we gave them one or two things to think about by getting into promising positions. The end product wasn’t there though.”

The challenge now is to recover at the first attempt when lowly Kendal Town arrive in Wincham this Saturday.

For that, reiterated the Albion boss, is the most important moment of this week.

He added: “I made the changes I did with that game in mind.

“We can’t afford to sulk about this result. It’s been a test for us, and highlighted where we need to improve. That starts now.”

To read a report on Witton's semi final defeat, click here: http://bit.ly/ZJlrTU