At the fourth attempt, Witton Albion are off the mark for the new Northern Premier League season.
Ben Harrison’s men picked up their first victory of the West Division campaign at Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday afternoon as they got their Bank Holiday weekend off to the ideal start with a 3-1 victory at Bower Fold.
Goals either side of half time from Tom Hoyle and Freddy Garbutt put Witton in command and while the hosts pulled a goal back and threatened to wipe their advantage out, substitute Joe Duckworth struck to make sure of the victory late on.
Manager Ben Harrison named himself in the heart of the Witton defence for the first time this season, while experienced and combative midfielder Danny Kerr played his first game at this level on a dual registration agreement with Winsford United.
"I'm made up," said Harrison, whose side went into the game on the back of a 2-0 home defeat to Darlaston Town in midweek.
"It's been a tough week after the defeat on Tuesday and the manner of it, especially in the second half when we lacked a bit of fight.
"And people saw the total opposite today where every player was fighting for everything.
"Stalybridge are a very good side who have had some great results already this season.
"I said in the changing rooms it was the perfect game to come into, with us being 'down and out' after losing Tuesday and they'd just beaten Bury away so we had this kind of siege mentality where only us could affect it.
"And first half I thought we were brilliant. We knew they'd have a lot of the ball, we tried to keep our shape and their movement is very good.
"But we defended, we put bodies on the line, we won headers, and a bit of quality got us the first goal - Jacob (Hamman) delivered a great ball and Tom (Hoyle) produced the touch, power, pace and finish.
"And we had a few chances in that first half, while limiting them to very little.
"Second half, we could have crumbled after they scored to make it 2-1 very quickly but everyone was fantastic and Joe Duckworth went on to get his goal.
"I thought Danny was probably the player we've been missing in centre midfield. He was phenomenal for his first game at this level.
"Overall it was very pleasing."
Meanwhile, there were mixed results for our sides who were in FA Vase first qualifying round action this weekend.
Northwich Victoria are safely through having beaten Winterton Rangers 2-0, with Harry Davis’ early strike setting them on their way before Matt Harrison made sure of the victory late on.
1874 Northwich’s home tie against Prestwich Heys finished in the same scoreline, but unfortunately Chris Herbert’s men were on the wrong side of the result at Townfield Lane.
After a goalless first half, Mo Doro edged the visitors ahead just after the break before Josh Tinker sealed their win in injury time.
It was the second FA Vase tie Townfield Lane had hosted over the weekend, with Barnton emerging victorious from a dramatic tie against South Leeds.
The Villagers were 4-3 winners on penalties after the game finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, with the hosts having been 2-0 up thanks to goals from James Sigsworth and Jordan Sherlock.
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