Witton Albion 3 Frickley Athletic 0

11:00am Wednesday 16th April 2008

CATCH us if you can - that pretty much sums up Witton's mood after they floored Frickley.

It's advantage Albion at the top of the table flashed back to the flowing league leaders of old to beat Billy Heath's spirited Blues.

Chasing Fleetwood now have nil margin for error.

The hosts did exactly as they should have done Saturday - score early to soothe any nerves - and never looked back despite one or two uncomfortable moments.

Frickley put up a fight, literally and metaphorically, but still suffered their first away day defeat since December 1.

Alex Brown stooped low to glance Junior Brown's centre past Jon Hood on four minutes. The roar of relief from Albion's red and white ranks behind the goal was tangible.

Mark Peers took over after that.

He scorched inside Adam Pollock on the quarter hour only for Hood to help his drive over the bar. The winger fired over from a similar position ten minutes later.

In between Rod Thornley saw a shot scrambled off the line after Rob Lloyd's speed of thought had sent Adam Warlow scampering into space down the right.

Frickley weathered the storm to scare their hosts.

Danny Walsh should have done better than to scuff his shot wide following Liam Brownhill's weak header.

Next John Kennedy saved superbly with his left leg after Walsh turned provider to send Neil Towler clear on goal. He did what he should - shoot across goal - but the Witton custodian averted the danger.

Blues' top scorer Lee Morris sneaked past Brian Pritchard onto a hopeful punt forward but, after rounding Kennedy, he speared his shot wide of the far post from an acute angle.

They paid a heavy price for their profligacy.

Albion's second goal was sublime.

Peers' acceleration took allowed him to control and beat his marker in one movement before picking out Warlow to sweep an unstoppable shot past Hood from close range.

It ended the contest.

Dave MacPherson, outstanding in an unfamiliar right back role, looped a header home to make it three on the hour after Hood pawed Pritchard's header towards the former Leek man.

Peers, desperate for a goal to cap his dazzling display, screwed his last chance off target after Lloyd had launched a swift counter attack led by Warlow.

Witton were in cruise control after that, just like the Albion of earlier this season.

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Star Man: Mark Peers - Back to his exhilarating best. Ran poor Adam Pollock ragged in both halves, all that was missing was a goal. His stunning first touch and control was the moment of the match as he teed up Adam Warlow for Albion's crucial second goal.

ALBION (4-4-2): Kennedy (GK), MacPherson, Barras, Pritchard, Brownhill, Peers (Brodie 80), Alex Brown, Lloyd, Junior Brown, Thornley (Rapley 80), Warlow (Evans 86)
Goals: Alex Brown 4, Warlow 42, MacPherson 61
Booked: Barras (foul)

FRICKLEY (4-4-2): Hood (GK), Pollock, Lindley, Hilton, Gowen (Ball 65), Walsh, Groome (Turner 59), Davies, Towler, Morris, Pell (Barrick 81)
Booked: Gowen, Groome, Pollock, Walsh (all fouls)

Attendance: 454