Is conceding late goals a concern?

Witton have surrendered four points in their past two home matches after their opponents scored a goal in added time.

Bamber Bridge trailed 2-1 when Kieran Charnock sent a rising shot past goalkeeper Greg Hall, while substitute Jack Mackreth denied Albion a share of the spoils when Warrington visited yesterday.

Remember too that strikes in injury time condemned Carl Macauley’s men to knockout exits against Leamington and Kidsgrove Athletic in the FA Trophy and Integro League Cup respectively.

Stamina won’t be the cause, for this is a fit group of players, but the manager did say afterwards that a lapse in concentration meant they weren’t in position to intercept Jack Dunn’s pass to his speedy teammate.

Clipping Warrington’s wings

The visitors made the most of a mismatch in terms of formation during the first-half when full-backs Adam Hughes, in particular, and Mitch Duggan pushed forward to support wide-men Dominic Reid and Jack Dunn.

Albion’s narrow midfield diamond, with James Foley and Billy Smart tucked in, left space for their opponents to fill on the flanks.

They did so effectively.

Hughes’ delivery from open play was exceptional, and Connor McCarthy would have scored from his best cross had goalkeeper Greg Hall not made a stunning save.

Albion adjusted effectively during the interval, changing the position of Tom Owens, and Yellows’ threat from those areas dissipated.

Anthony Gardner, raiding from right-back, conjured the home team’s two best chances in the second-half.

Should Town goalkeeper Charles Albinson have been sent off?

Referee Jonathan Maskrey didn’t think so, failing even to caution the visitors’ custodian after he had used both hands to pull down Witton’s Rob Hopley.

The on-loan net-minder had fumbled the ball as his opponent closed in, and panicked after the front-man had nudged it away from him.

While a defender had recovered and was positioned on the line to try and block a shot Hopley would have sent his way, Albinson made no attempt to play the ball.

That ought to have resulted in his dismissal, and Warrington had no specialist goalkeeper in reserve.

James Foley converted from the spot, increasing his goals tally for the season to 13.

Northwich Guardian:

James Foley celebrates after disapatching a penalty kick past Warrington Town goalkeeper Charles Albinson, restoring parity before the break for Witton Albion. Picture: Karl Brooks Photography

Home discomfort for Witton

Albion have won only twice in front of their own supporters in a Northern Premier League fixture this season.

A 1-0 victory against Lancaster was their only success in the past seven attempts, a statistic they need to improve quickly.

It is difficult to see a pattern; Albion were superior to Marine and Hyde only to be held to draws, while they conceded an injury-time goal against Bamber Bridge.

A win for Mickleover at Wincham Park followed the euphoria of an FA Cup success at FC United of Manchester and Stalybridge Celtic ought to have been buried inside half an hour.

What is consistent is Albion’s inability, so far at least, to make the most of those spells in games when they have had control.

An examination of credentials continues

Witton’s schedule doesn’t get any easier.

In-form Farsley Celtic, victors in their past seven Premier Division matches, are due at Wincham Park on Saturday.

After that, at trip to leaders Nantwich Town follows on New Year’s Day.

An assessment of Albion’s performance against Warrington should be split into two parts.

In the first-half, they risked being adrift before their guests gifted them a route back into the game by conceding a penalty.

However in the second, after manager Carl Macauley took corrective action, they nullified the Yellows’ threat and caused the league’s best defence some discomfort at the other end.

That is a cause for optimism ahead of the weekend.