Nobody is performing better

Witton have now taken maximum points from five of their past six Northern Premier League matches, a return that leaves them top of the form table for the same period.

Over the past eight games, only Warrington have been more productive than Carl Macauley’s men.

At the start of February, which they reached after losing three of their previous four fixtures, Albion were looking nervously over their shoulders.

An upward trajectory since has been impressive.

Now they sit ninth, and the possibility of matching last season’s seventh-place finish is real.

Getting one over Grantham

Albion have found beating the Gingerbreads a difficult task and had failed to do so in their previous four attempts.

The Lincolnshire outfit have found Wincham Park a profitable place to visit too, prevailing on four of their previous visits for a Premier Division fixture.

Witton’s most recent success in this head-to-head was in March 2014 when goals from Josh Hancock and Alex Titchiner secured a 2-1 win.

Two players from that meeting, Anthony Gardner and Grantham’s Jack McGovern, were on duty again yesterday afternoon.

And the hosts had to fight similarly hard to subdue stubborn opposition on this occasion.

Northwich Guardian:

Matty Devine, who replaced Anthony Gardner when he suffered an injury, challenges Grantham Town's Chris Dawson during Witton Albion's 1-0 win on Saturday. Picture: Karl Brooks Photography

Another clean-sheet for Albion

Carl Macauley’s men have now shut out an opponent in 15 of their 33 league games this season, drawing level with Warrington for the highest clean-sheet total among top-flight teams.

They are second only to the Yellows too in terms of goals conceded to date.

Goalkeeper Greg Hall barely had a save of note to make during the entire contest and River Humphreys again marshalled expertly a back-line in which Josh Wardle continues to impress.

His brilliant block, when Michael Tweed looked certain to strike on target, symbolised neatly how difficult this side is to score against – never mind beat.

Will Jones decisive again

The striker has scored in six Northern Premier League matches for Witton this season and the Northwich side have won all but one of them.

On three occasions, against Nantwich, North Ferriby and now Grantham, he has netted the only goal.

Meanwhile on two others, at Buxton and on the road at Workington last month, the 29-year-old has claimed an opening goal that has set Carl Macauley’s men on course for victory.

Considering the opposition failed to score on either of those occasions, it’s possible to make a case that strikes by Jones have contributed 15 points to Albion’s total so far.

At the very least that figure is nine.

Northwich Guardian:

Will Jones protects the ball from Grantham Town defender Sam Cartwright during Witton Albion's 1-0 win against the Gingerbreads at Wincham Park on Saturday. Picture: Karl Brooks Photography

In praise of another loan signing

Luke Offord, a versatile teenager Witton have borrowed from neighbours Crewe Alexandra, delivered his best performance since arriving last month.

He began the contest at left-back before switching to the opposite flank after an injury to Anthony Gardner ended early his involvement.

Carl Macaculey has deployed the youngster as a central defender too when River Humphreys has been unavailable.

The Witton manager hasn’t used the loan market as often this term as he has previously, save for a successful stint for Liam Goulding when he signed from Altrincham, but the recruitment of Offord is a reminder of just how well he does when he chooses.