Witton Albion 2 Ashton United 1

5:00pm Thursday 27th December 2007

WITTON racked up their third win of the season against Ashton to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Two goals in two minutes settled a bumper Boxing Day crowd - Albion's highest home gate of the campaign - only for the visitors to pull one back and again heighten their anxiety.

But the league leaders hung on for home win number 10.

Liam Brownhill fired over following fine work by Rod Thornley and Neil Wood before Ashton keeper Damien Rooney denied the former Altrincham striker.

Kyle Wilson then swapped passes with Thornley to tee up Cavell Coo and his sight of goal was blocked by a last-ditch challenge. Brian Pritchard then headed wide Wood's set piece as Witton pushed for an opener.

They made the breakthrough on 36 minutes.

Wilson curved an irresistable free kick over the wall and into the top corner with Rooney unable to do anything as he tried to scamper back from the opposite post.

From the restart Dave MacPherson took the ball to the left of the area before selling a dummy to two defenders by checking back and finding Neil Wood.

He lifted a cross to the far post where Adam Warlow leapt higher than his markers to send his header past Rooney. It was his 19th goal of the season.

Ashton halved the deficit when Ben Smith danced past MacPherson's challenge before sending a left foot low shot to Kennedy's right.

Thornley's shot evaded Rooney only to strike the body of Danny Caldecott on the line seconds after the restart but the visitors refused to relent.

Iain Howard evaded Coo only to be thwarted by Kennedy's dive but Albion kept their lead to take the win.

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Star Man: Brian Pritchard
ALBION: Kennedy, Coo, Pritchard, Barras, Brownhill, Wilson, Wood (Lloyd 67), MacPherson, Brodie, Warlow, Thornley (Rutter 92)
Attendance: 495