Witton set for Trafford test (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton manager Brian Pritchard predicts close encounter with Trafford

3:40pm Sunday 1st January 2012 in News By Andrew Simpson

WITTON Albion will start the New Year with one of their toughest tests to date, according to manager Brian Pritchard.

His team, propelled back into the play-offs places after winning at neighbours Warrington on Boxing Day, host one of the section’s best travellers tomorrow in Trafford.

Only leading pair Curzon Ashton and Skelmersdale United have scored more points on opponent’s pitches than Garry Vaughan’s men.

“I like them; they’re a good team who set up to try and play football,” said Pritchard.

“I thought they played well [against us] at their place where it was too and fro throughout and the result could have gone either way if I’m honest.”

Danny Andrews’ penalty seven minutes from time earned Albion a 3-2 success.

However they had trailed 2-0 against a side inspired by the attacking brilliance of Joe Shaw, a player with 12 goals to his name in Evo-Stik NPL Division One North this term.

“He’s somebody who can hurt you as we found to our cost last season,” said Pritchard, referring to the midfielder’s hat-trick in Trafford’s stunning 5-2 success in February.

“We self-destructed, but they gave us a wake-up call.

“There are one or two others as well like [Simon] Carden and [Michael] Oates, which I believe makes them one of the better teams in this division.”

Indeed Trafford are in similarly emphatic form away from Shawe View this term, scoring in every away match to rack up a tally of six wins in 11 outings.

Their last defeat on the road was close to three months ago.

Pritchard added: ““They’re on a roll away from home, but we’ve improved too since losing at home to Cammell Laird so I expect a close game.”