Don't go changing, says Witton manager (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton Albion manager Brian Pritchard says next league win is not far away ahead of trip to Ilkeston

6:02pm Friday 14th September 2012 in Sport By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

BRIAN Pritchard will tell his players to be patient when they seek a return to winning ways in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League tomorrow, Saturday.

Witton ended a sequence of four winless matches by beating Burscough in the FA Cup last weekend, a victory the manager hopes is repeated at fellow Premier Division newcomers Ilkeston.

“It was good to get through,” he said.

“Lads do get anxious when things don’t go their way, and winning always boosts confidence.

“That said, we’re doing the right things and have only lost one of the past 21 league games we’ve played.

“I hadn’t realised we’d gone four without win until somebody else pointed it out to me, and it’s true we probably should have won a couple more than we have done.

“Inevitably it’s taking time to adjust to a different division, which I’m sure [Ilkeston manager] Kevin Wilson has found too.”

Ilkeston have won only one of their half dozen matches to date, losing four.

Only rock-bottom Eastwood Town have scored fewer goals too, but Pritchard believes the Robins’ position in the table is a false one.

An FA Cup win last weekend is proof of improvement.

He said: “The cup game could be a catalyst that kick-starts their season.

“Kevin will be disappointed with his side’s start, but he’s been to watch us and will want a result this weekend.

“They’re a good unit though, and I expect both teams to have a good go at each other.

“We’re not going there to sit back, we want to win the game.”

The Witton boss will wait until the latest possible moment for defensive trio Paul Booth, Ben Harrison and Mathew Wood to prove their fitness after they each limped out of last Saturday’s 4-2 success at Victoria Park.

Midfielder Steven Connors is almost ready to return after recovering from calf strain suffered on the opening day.

Hosts Ilkeston have health doubts over striker Gary Ricketts (ankle) and winger Jack Watts (hamstring), while Russell Cooke (thigh) has missed the past two matches.

Lawrie Wilson made a goalscoring return last weekend’s cup win.

To read a preview of tomorrow's game, click here http://bit.ly/ROU4rv