DARREN Chadwick has admitted Witton Albion’s new-look team are still adjusting to each other, although he believes supporters should be encouraged by the early signs.

As if to prove his point the defender, asked by manager Scott Dundas to captain the side this season, was on target in a 6-0 pummelling of Prescot on Tuesday.

It followed a single-goal success in last weekend’s Northern Premier League opener against Ossett Albion.

“We don’t really know each other yet,” said Chadwick.

“Everybody seems to be getting on well, but it will take time to get things how we want them.

“Nobody knew what to expect on Saturday because the gaffer had been forced to mess around with the team in pre-season after lads suffered injuries or were away on holiday.

“It was a typical first game of the season in many respects, and I doubt you’ll find many of us claiming we played as well as we can.

“But we got a result, and that’s what matters.

“It’s something to build on, and I’m sure we will.”

After cutting Cables down to size, Albion enter the weekend – when they will visit Lancaster City – occupying top spot in the Division One North table.

And the prospect of being part of a team challenging for promotion is what tempted the 24-year-old to leave Leek for Wincham Park, a place he is acquainted with already.

“I had a spell with Witton when I was 16,” he said.

“I was studying at MMU [Manchester Metropolitan University] on a course that had Nigel Deeley as a tutor.

“He invited me down to train with the first team, which he was involved with at the time.

“I spent a month or so there, and sat on the bench for a cup game. It’s a ground and a playing surface I remember pretty well.”

He knows Dundas too.

Chadwick was part of a Norton United team that won the North West Counties League’s Premier Division title in 2014.

He then helped Leek to reach the promotion play-offs in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s Division One South last term.  

“I’ve known Scott for a number of years,” he said.

“I said I’d be happy to play for him again if the chance came along. He called me in the summer, and it went from there.

“I wasn’t put off by the fact Witton had been relegated.

“The club’s aim is to go straight back up again, and that attracted me to come here.

“It’s never dull being a defender in one of Scott’s teams; he loves to attack, and I’m not sure he ever spent time in his own half when he was a player.

“I remember playing up front with him at Norton once. I just flicked balls on for him to run onto!”

A good job then that Wayne Brotherton, Dundas’ right-hand man, is an experienced defender at this level.

In fact, the former Congleton and Kidsgrove back-marker told Chadwick he was the management team’s pick for captain.

“I was surprised if I’m honest,” he said.

“Scott [Lycett] had been skipper for the friendly against Altrincham, and so I hadn’t given it much thought.

“Then Wayne pulled to one side after training one night and said the gaffer wanted me to do it.

“I’m happy with that; I’ll be aggressive, and make sure everybody pulls together.

“That’s what worked so well at Leek – it was a great bunch of lads. We have good players here, we know that, but a strong team spirit can make the difference.”

Albion head to Lancaster tomorrow, Saturday, before hosting Mossley on Tuesday.