WES Benjamin, who scored a stunning winning goal for Witton in the FA Trophy on Saturday, has left the club.

The versatile defender is back with former team Clitheroe, and played from the first minute of their Integro League Cup success at Kendal last night.

He was subject of a seven-day notice of approach from the Northern Premier League Division One North side last week, and agreed on a return to Shawbridge after talking to manager Simon Haworth on Monday.

The 21-year-old departs Northwich after making five starts, although only one of those was in a league fixture.

Perhaps ironically, he has featured more often in the past month since Anthony Brown sustained a knee injury during a goalless stalemate with Stocksbridge.

The former Burscough man is still not ready to play again but Benjamin, who curled in from the edge of the penalty area to secure a 2-1 win against Kettering at the weekend, believes he is more likely to play regularly at Clitheroe.

It leaves Carl Macauley’s squad, already weakened by the return of striker Tolani Omotola to Tranmere Rovers following the end of a successful loan spell, looking short on numbers.

Billy Reeves is expected to return in time for Saturday’s game at Chasetown, but the fitness of Paul Williams and Karl Noon will be assessed after they both left the field early during last night’s 6-0 reverse at Glossop North End.