TOM Pope is fast becoming Witton Albion’s super sub.

His two goals off the bench, for the second game in a row, helped Witton Albion to a late 3-1 win at Widnes on Saturday.

He arrived as a 63rd-minute replacement for Cameron Fogerty and bagged his first effort 14 minutes later, levelling matters after Ste Milne had put Widnes in front in the 56th minute.

As a cross was floated in from the left, Pope got above his marker to nod down into the bottom right corner.

Pope, whose two goals against Winsford United the previous week forced a penalty shoot-out which Albion went on to win in the Mid Cheshire District Senior FA Cup semi-finals, then put his side in front a minute into added time.

Again the delivery came from Witton’s left, but this time low and on the edge of the six-yard box Pope scooped the ball home left-footed with a slight deflection off the defender.

Elliot Rokka’s goal four minutes later, when he side-footed home yet another cross from the left, ensured all three points from a fourth straight win were coming back to Wincham.

It leaves Witton fourth on the Northern Premier League West ladder, at least four points clear of those teams currently chasing a play-offs spot.

Meanwhile, 1874 Northwich’s winless streak reached 17 matches when they were defeated 2-0 at home by City of Liverpool.

Basement side 74, who parted company with manager Damian Crossley after the previous weekend’s 4-0 home loss to fellow strugglers Trafford, showed more spirit and effort than of late.

But it proved not to be enough for a side being temporarily led by experienced players Matt Woolley and Mark Jones for a second spell this season.

Elliot Morris netted twice in four minutes midway through the second half for The Purps.

Those goals came against the run or play though 1874 did not create many clear-cut scoring chances.

A Jones glancing header from a corner in the seventh minute was as near as the Greens got to a goal and it was the third time they have blanked in their last four matches.

Elsewhere, Northwich Victoria were hit with another postponement due to the impact of the wet weather.

Their scheduled home Midland League Premier Division clash with Uttoxeter at Barton Stadium, Winsford, was their fourth wipe-out in a row.

Vics have now suffered 12 postponements in the 2023-24 season.

Another side hit by postponement on Saturday was Winsford United, whose visit to Eccleshall in North West Counties League Division One South was called off.

In the same division, Barnton were beaten 4-1 at Cheadle Heath Nomads.