Brian Pritchard scores 50th goal for Witton Albion in draw at AFC Fylde (From Northwich Guardian)

Brian Pritchard scores 50th goal for Witton Albion in draw at AFC Fylde

2:07pm Wednesday 25th August 2010 in

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BRIAN Pritchard picked the perfect moment to score a milestone goal as Witton collected a precious point.

His header, from substitute Christian Millar’s free kick, had the power and placement to fly past Fylde keeper Lewis Edge four minutes from time.

It brought up his half century of goals in red and white.

And Albion deserved their draw too, coming from behind to cancel out Matt Mahoney’s first half opener for promotion hopefuls Fylde.

In truth Paul Ogden’s picks, including a first start for former Winsford United winger Josh Hancock and front-runner Chris Smith, toiled in the first half.

Matthew Wood forced Edge to save with his feet following a trademark foray forward from deep, but the hosts went ahead on the half hour.

Mahoney’s flick header from a corner left Matt Cooper with little chance.

Fylde pushed for a second and Cooper smothered Phil Doughty’s effort as he latched on to a loose ball at the start of the second period.

Albion's custodian then had to react quickly to halt a home team counter raid.

At the other end a rare attack from Albion on 57 minutes saw Smith make space to shoot but his shot went askew.

Ogden threw on Millar to add a creative spark, moving Hancock into the front line along with Smith, and his switch almost paid instant dividend.

Edge beat away Hancock’s drive and Smith’s follow-up effort was blocked.

Peter Heler then got in on the act, first driving over the bar then sending a well-struck free kick goalwards to force Fylde’s net-minder to save once more.

Millar then got on the end of a corner kick only to see his shot ricochet off a defender before Edge saved the ex-Buxton man’s next shot at the second attempt.

But it was that man Pritchard who was in the right place at the right moment to earn Albion a share of the spoils.

There was time enough for a stoppage time scare when Matthew Holt headed Jamie Milligan’s goal-bound free kick to safety.

Luckily the script was written for Brian.

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Witton Cooper (GK), Holt, Pritchard, Kearney, Wood, Heler, Parkinson, MacPherson, Hancock (Ledwards 82), Kinsey (Millar 60), Smith (Warner 74)
Subs not used Moffatt, Foy
Goal Pritchard 86

Attendance 249