THE WITTON COLUMN - By Paul Harper

WELL, the weekly storm got us again!

After Storms Ciara and Dennis, this time it was Jorge which defeated us in our quest to get a game on at the weekend, as our home match against Basford United had to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

It’s been a frustrating period with no football to report on. Our last game was on February 8 at Ashton United, and I’m sure the management and players are chomping at the bit to get back out there again.

While we haven’t been playing in recent weeks, there have been other matches in the division taking place which has seen us slip down the league table a little.

Albion currently sit in 13th position in the BetVictor Northern Premier League Premier Division standings, but with games in hand on most of the clubs around us.

The gap to the play-off zone has extended, but not too much, so we can still hold realistic ambitions of challenging for a top five finish at the end of the season.

An interesting question comes from this, as to whether it is better to have the points on the board or to have games in hand.

Most people would prefer the former.

Games in hand are all well and good, but they’re only good if you can win them, and you have to cram them all into a short space of time.

That can lead to fatigue, both mental and physical, but if you’re winning, there is a momentum that can be carried into each passing game and you often see teams make a late charge at the end of the season to stave off relegation or to get into promotion positions.

It’s far from ideal, but the cards have been dealt and that is what we have to deal with, 13 matches in the space of the next seven weeks or so.

This Saturday’s opponents Morpeth Town have it worse!

They have only completed 24 league matches to date, leaving them with 18 still to play in that same seven-week period.

That’s a busy old schedule for them.

With a bit of luck, the match will go ahead as planned this weekend to save further fixture congestion.

Surely, there can’t be another storm hitting the UK this weekend?!

Our next home game is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 10, when we host 1874 Northwich in the semi-finals of the Mid-Cheshire District FA Senior Cup, kick-off 7.45pm.

Derbies, no matter in which competition, are great occasions, so it would be great to see you all here at Wincham Park for that one.