Witton boss blasts poor FA Cup showing (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton Albion manager Brian Pritchard describes performance in FA Cup exit as 'unacceptable'

10:37pm Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Sport By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

BRIAN Pritchard accused his players of being weak in the mind after Witton collapsed at Kendal in the FA Cup.

The Albion boss told the Guardian he would not tolerate a repeat either after the visitors ceded a two-goals advantage to lose 4-2 at their Evo-Stik Northern Premier League rivals.

“That second half performance was disrespectful,” he said afterwards.

“We didn’t turn up; I feel like we’ve robbed our own fans who turned up to watch a performance that frankly lacked the commitment required to win a game of this importance.

“For me, that’s unacceptable.”

His mood could not have been in greater contrast earlier after Ashley Stott scored twice inside the first half hour to put Witton on course for the next stage.

Shaun Tuck missed a spot kick, plus referee Kevin Mulraine harshly disallowed a goal, as Albion assumed control.

However Kevin Leadbetter scored twice for Kendal before the break to restore parity.

He completed his hat-trick with a quarter hour left, playing a part in the hosts’ fourth goal too when serving Danny Wisdom to tee up Scott Harries inside the box.

Pritchard said: “We hammered them for the first half an hour, then took it easy.

“After that, there was only one team that looked likely to score again and it wasn’t us.

“If there was anybody in our dressing room after the game that thinks a display like that is ok, then they’re badly wrong.

“Kendal were deserving winners and go through far more easily than they could have dreamed.”

To read a match report, click here: http://bit.ly/OLOoxY