Carl Macauley’s finest hour (well, 45 minutes)

Carl Macauley, Witton Albion’s manager, has a few possibilities to pick from if he is asked which has been his side’s best performance this season.

Beating Buxton in the FA Cup, when the Bucks were top of the Northern Premier League Premier League’s Premier Division, would be up there.

Recovering from behind to see off Kettering, also a higher-ranked foe, in the FA Trophy is another.

However Tuesday’s first-half display may just trump both of those.

Context is important here; the hosts had three key players unavailable, and trailed 2-0 inside six minutes to guests that play at two levels higher.

They roared back, and a fragile Boston couldn’t muster a response.

It is easy, but relevant, to point out how desperately bad some of the Pilgrims’ defending was.

That said, many of their mistakes were prompted by Albion’s relentless pressure.

An FA Trophy run? What’s one of those…?

On Saturday, Witton will play a first-round tie in the FA Trophy for the first time in a decade.

In December 2006, they reached the last 32 following a 3-1 win at now-defunct Woodley Sports.

The opponent blocking their path this time around is a significantly more formidable one in the form of higher-ranked Chester.

A sequence of wins against Brighouse Town, Colwyn Bay, Kettering and now Boston has earned Albion £12,450 in prize money already; a sizeable amount for a club with a poor recent record in national competitions.

Add a further £5,000 banked from wins in the FA Cup, and the reason for a grin on chairman Mark Harris’ face becomes apparent.

Witton’s priority this term is to be promoted back to the Northern Premier League’s top-flight, from which they were demoted in April of last year.

However, as boss Carl Macauley pointed out at full-time on Tuesday, a chance to play against National League opposition is a reward for his players’ efforts in knockout ties this term.

Concede first? Not a problem…

It was noticeable that Witton didn’t panic after conceding twice inside the first six minutes against Boston on Tuesday.

They were stunned, initially, and the timing of Brad Bauress’ goal – midway through the first half – arrived early enough to be a catalyst for what followed.

Albion’s opponents have scored first in 10 of their games this season.

Carl Maculey’s men went on to lose on just three occasions, and one of those was in an Integro League Cup clash with Glossop in which they fielded a second string.

A 3-1 league reverse at Belper and an FA Cup replay defeat at Stalybridge are the others.

Witton’s manager, along with his assistant Gary Martindale and first-team coach Paul Moore, has consistently praised his players’ strength of character this season.

Lots of bosses do, but his signings continue to prove as much.

What does Tom Owens have for breakfast?

Fairly nor not, Tom Owens has rarely been heralded in a midfield with the technical skill of Brad Bauress and Prince Haywood and the leadership of Paul Williams.

Owens is the oil that lubricates Albion’s engine, but he stepped up to give his best individual performance since signing for the club from Marine last season.

The finishes for both of his goals were flawless.

However they were gloss for a solo showing full of energy.

Gary Martindale, tongue in cheek, told the Guardian afterwards that the secret to the 22-year-old’s relentlessness is a high-sugar diet.

“He has a Big Mac for breakfast,” insisted Carl Macauley’s number two.

He proceeded to share an anecdote about Owens snacking his way through an entire selection box of chocolate bars on the way home from a recent training session.

Northwich Guardian:

Tom Owens' individual performance was a highlight of Witton Albion's FA Trophy success against Boston United on Tuesday

The time to recruit is now

Steven Tames, who sprained an ankle in Saturday’s hammering of Romulus, is unlikely to play again until January.

His loan from Stalybridge ends next month too.

Tolani Omotola’s latest temporary stint also concludes shortly, while a date is unknown for midfielder Paul Williams’ return from a knee injury.

Captain Anthony Gardner, another nursing a knock, is not ready yet either.

Cameron Dalton is out for the season, while Billy Reeves’ return to the club was cut short by a knee problem.

Albion could name only four youngsters as substitutes to face Boston and one of those, Ronan Eves, is only 16.

In short, they need to act quickly to ensure the group can cope with the demands of a busy fixture list.

“We’re thin on the ground, I’m conscious of that,” said Macauley.

“I think we need a forward as a priority, but there isn’t the squad depth we’d like.”