Almost four hours without a goal

That Marine shut out Witton as comfortably as they did is worrying.

Only Lancaster had conceded more goals than the Crosby outfit in the Northern Premier League’s top-flight this season before kick-off at Wincham Park.

Albion created more chances at Bamber Bridge on Saturday, and lost.

Manager Carl Macauley noted afterwards that there had been a jaded feel to his side’s display, which is why he made substitutions early in the second-half.

It will encourage him that one of those replacements, Delial Brewster, went closest to breaking the deadlock when goalkeeper Martin Fearon made a smart save.

However even a switch to 4-3-3 didn’t lead to a sustained spell of pressure on their visitors’ back-line.

But then Marine didn’t score either

Witton have kept a clean-sheet in half of their matches so far, and in three of the past four fixtures.

Goalkeeper Greg Hall did what he had done against Nantwich, and dealt with crosses into the box with ease.

Another outstanding individual performance from River Humphreys, who made two perfectly-timed blocks in the second-half, ensured the visitors couldn’t find a way through after growing more adventurous during the closing stages.

It is fair to say the movement of Danny Mitchley and James Murray did cause some discomfort, and both attackers were wasteful when they broke into space behind Albion’s defence.

A curveball from Crosby

Carl Macauley had on the desk in his office at Wincham Park a detailed report from Marine’s defeat at home to Grantham on Saturday.

However much of it became dated from the moment the Crosby outfit announced the resignation of Tommy Lawson as manager the following afternoon.

The visitors, with Ian Johnson in caretaker charge, made three changes to the side that had started that game and lined up in a different formation with five across the back.

“We knew they’d change shape,” said Macauley.

“They had to because they’ve been conceding goals and the caretaker will have wanted to put his stamp on it.

“We had to react to that, and it did cause us one or two problems.”

Would Albion have lost this game last season?

Perhaps. Remember Rushall, Warrington and Halesowen scoring late winners in tight games…?

Carl Macauley is determined for Wincham Park to be a place where points aren’t picked up easily by visiting teams, particularly after Albion lost eight times there in the Northern Premier League last season.

Curiously, Witton were probably less secure at the back last night than in previous games – although the withdrawal of Cesaire to accommodate a more attacking formation did make them more vulnerable to a counter-attack.

It is undeniable that they look more solid, although the manager told the Guardian afterwards his side had been ‘lucky’ not to lose this one.

Carl can’t yet find a way to beat his former club

Witton have played Marine on three occasions now with Carl Macauley in charge, and haven’t beaten them.

A 1-1 draw in last season’s corresponding fixture – coincidentally played on the same day 12 months earlier – was followed by the sides sharing four goals in Crosby back in April.

Albion’s most recent victory against the Mariners was on New Year’s Day in 2015 when Jamie Rainford’s goal separated Tony Sullivan’s team from one managed by…yes, Carl Macauley.