WITTON’S message was a simple one after sending 10-man Sheffield home with a first defeat in eight matches; we’re the number one contenders!

Gary Finley’s men did not improve their position in the table with this win, but their prospects of frightening their rivals for promotion were improved no end.

“I was surprised how comfortable we were,” said the Albion boss afterwards.

“We a different team now to the one that lost there in September, but I stand by my view that Sheffield will be in the mix at the end of the season.”

They were not on Saturday.

Carl Lamb had already had a goal chalked off before Brian Pritchard sent an acrobatic overhead kick into the net on the half hour.

Finley quipped: “I think he overdosed on cod liver oil to be able to do that!”

At the other end Joe Clegg saved smartly to stop Paul Smith hauling Sheffield level, then the visitors’ Greg Wright was sent off for two cautions in five minutes the bookings.

A weak clearance 25-yards from goal was seized on by Paul Henry who, cutting in from the right, stroked a shot beyond the reach of keeper Leigh Walker.

The Sheffield custodian denied Lamb with a smart save in the second half after the former Welshpool man had met Brad Maylett’s cross, then he used his legs to deny Witton’s front man after he had sprinted clear.

But there was nothing he could do on 66 minutes to stop Peter Heler from adding a third goal.

He raced on to a through ball inside the visitors’ half, keeping his cool to apply a clinical finish that capped a fine Witton win.


Witton Clegg (GK), Adams, Pritchard, Ruffer, Neville, Heler, Henry, Broadhead (Brodie 90), Tandy, Maylett (Foster 86), Lamb (Moseley 70)
Attendance 285