WITH the Northern Premier League season looking increasingly unlikely to resume, it appears as though Witton Albion will not get the chance to pick up from where they left off.

When fixtures were stopped, it could not have come at a worse time for Carl Macauley’s men.

After a slightly sticky start which involved being dumped out of the FA Cup by lower-ranked Whitley Bay and defeats in their first two league fixtures, things had taken a turn for the better.

Four consecutive league wins had them sat nicely among the Premier Division play-off spots – they are fifth in the table having played fewer games than most teams around them.

Their form had taken many on the outside looking in by surprise but for those that have become used to seeing Albion punching above their weight, it will come as no shock.

Macauley’s success at Wincham Park has been on the foundation of every player knowing their job and a solid defensive base.

This season, he has tried to tweak things – reverting to a three-man defence – and it appeared to have been having an affect.

“Collectively, we worked very hard,” he said.

“We’ve had to change formation but the lads took on their new responsibilities well.

“They adapted really well and we’re proud they managed to take it off the training ground and put it on the pitch on a matchday.

“We were always in games and got results when we needed them.

“The spirit in the squad was really high – you could see that in players who maybe weren’t getting many minutes but we’re still delighted for their teammates at getting the results."

When the current national lockdown was introduced earlier this month, the Northern Premier League extended the shutdown of fixtures until March 6 at the earliest but also stated their belief that the season should be declared null and void.

That decision lies with the FA, who are finalising the process of collecting thoughts from clubs as to how the campaign should proceed.