Draw is right result, reflects Pritch (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton Albion manager Brian Pritchard declared himself happy after a stalemate at Stafford Rangers

12:44pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in Football By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

Witton Albion manager, Brian Pritchard.

BRIAN Pritchard, the Witton Albion manager, says a draw was the right result after his side’s stalemate at Stafford Rangers.

He picked a team last night for the 100th time, the goalless game that followed the first with a shut out at both ends since he took sole charge at the start of last term.

“It’s a point gained, definitely,” he said.

“I felt it was important to keep a clean sheet, particularly as we panicked a bit in and around the box late on and made some bad decisions that led to free kicks.

“We dug in, and proved we have a backbone. Perhaps three or four weeks ago we would have lost a game like this one.

“I thought Stafford played well on a desperately poor surface, so credit to them too. It’s an atrocious pitch because of the ground share, but I don’t hold that against them.”

The outcome might have been a better one for both sides.

Michael Powell had a goal ruled out for offside, while Fabrice Kasiama’s fall in the Witton penalty area was punished with a yellow card for diving and not a spot kick award.

Pritchard said: “I’m adamant we had a perfectly good goal disallowed because of an incorrect decision.

“Has there been a directive about making offside calls? Because I’ve asked people without getting an answer. It used to be that somebody had to touch the ball before being ruled offside, not any more it seems.

“As for their shout, my instinct was that it was a penalty. However, he threw himself to the floor.”

After taking seven points from the past nine on offer since a 3-0 defeat at Marine, Pritchard wants a similar return from a run of home games to come.

He added: “We’ve been on the road for a while now, but the results have been great.

“We need to make Wincham Park a fortress now for the next few games. It would be a waste to do so well away from home only to not make the most of it.”

To read a report on last night's game, click here: http://bit.ly/XhgJgw