WITTON love going to Barwell.

They have scored every time, and shut-out their hosts too.

One goal was enough on their third visit, claimed after an hour by striker Will Jones with a shot from the narrowest of angles that crept past goalkeeper Liam Castle.

It means Carl Macauley’s men remain unbeaten on their return to the Northern Premier League’s top-flight and, remarkably, with a share of the lead after five games of the season.

As they had done at Workington in midweek after a long road trip, Albion started slowly.

They survived a scare when Ryan Robbins, a thorn in their side while with Stamford previously, skied his shot after being allowed to tee himself up on the left.

The attacker raided next from the right and, after tempting custodian Calvin Hare from his line, he cursed Nick Ryan for retreating quickly enough to clear off the line.

Hare also blocked smartly with a boot when Michael Townsend met a free-kick with a header.

Witton’s attacking threat was sporadic, and they went closest when Prince Haywood’s low drive prompted Castle to save at the foot of an upright.

Albion adjusted, as they had done in Cumbria, during the interval.

James Foley conjured an opening for Jones, but his shot was too close to the Canaries’ number one.

The contest’s decisive moment arrived shortly afterwards.

Paul Williams picked out Foley from a set-piece, and he nodded the ball in Jones’ direction.

After steadying himself, the front man – making his first start of the new campaign – fired low into the far corner from an acute angle.

Enthused, Witton attempted to double their lead.

Jones flicked on for Steven Tames, but he fired straight at Castle.

Haywood then picked out the latter who in turn nudged a pass Jones’ way, but substitute Liam Kay scrambled his effort to safety from on the goal-line.

Tames was again denied by Castle last on, this time using his palms to parry, as Albion again finished strongly.

A third victory in five games, all of them by a single-goal margin, is the perfect preparation for a mouth-watering derby with Cheshire neighbours Altrincham at Wincham Park on Bank Holiday Monday, kick-off 3pm.

Barwell | Castle (GK), Towers, Nisevic, Stanley, Townsend, Julien, Hildreth, Seal, Robbins (Kay 71), Bates (Baldwin 79), Story (Whitmore 79) Subs not used Gilchrist, Belford (GK) Booked Hildreth (foul)

Witton | Hare (GK), Wilson, Brown, Ryan, Gardner, Haywood, Williams, Foley, Hedley, Tames, Jones (Hopley 86) Subs not used Evans, Newby, Greenop, Moore (GK) Goal Jones 59  Booked Gardner (simulation), Hedley (dissent)

Referee Martin Chester 

Attendance 162

Match report by Phil Chadwick