Pritch promises changes for cup clash (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton Albion manager Brian Pritchard will pick team for cup clash with one eye on next league game

2:21pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Football By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

BRIAN Pritchard is considering a host of changes to his team for tonight’s Doodson Sport Cup clash at Curzon Ashton.

The Witton manager told the Guardian he will have in mind this Saturday’s crucial league encounter Rushall Olympic – direct rivals for a play-offs place – when selecting his starting line-up.

At stake against John Flanagan’s men is a semi finals berth.

“Finishing in the top five is a priority for both clubs,” he said, referring to tonight’s hosts.

“After last night’s [league] results, this weekend’s game has become even more important.

“Everybody has been told to report for duty against Curzon, including lads from our reserve set-up, so I’ll make up my mind what to do then.

“I have to be realistic though; my first responsibility is to protect the club’s interests, which is to finish as high as possible in the Premier Division table at the end of the season.”

He has injury concerns over 21-goal top scorer Shaun Tuck, defender Josh Glover and goalkeeper Matt Cooper.

The Albion boss rested three others – captain Anthony Sheehan, Mathew Wood and Steve Foster – during last Wednesday’s Cheshire FA Senior Cup semi final defeat at Chester.

He added: “We had a great run, as a Division One North club remember, in this competition last season, reaching the last eight.

“We’ve already done the same again.

“Curzon are in a similar position to ours; they’ve played league games on Saturday and again on Monday this week already.”

Former Witton defender Paul Booth, on the pitch in Albion colours when they won last season’s Division One North play-offs final at the Tameside Stadium, could feature against his former club after signing for Curzon this week.

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