WITTON Albion will attempt to make best use of their match break this weekend as they look to build on their improved performance at Newcastle Town.

The red and white stripes ran out 2-1 winners on Saturday, a week after a 4-0 loss at home to Trafford had followed a similar break from action.

Their next appearance will be away to high-flying Leek Town on Saturday, November 25.

“It will be a really tough test at Leek,” said Witton’s assistant manager Steve Atkinson.

“Momentum is huge in football and I don’t think people really appreciate that.

“Good teams, winning teams, want to keep on playing – Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday – because they enjoy it and want to keep the run.

“But this period allows us to assess some of the lads, it gives a few lads a rest.

“It’s dead important we get on the training pitch too and work on some stuff where we can improve.”

After going from their best performance in a 3-1 win at Kidsgrove to their worst display at home to Trafford a fortnight later, Atkinson was pleased to see the team perform as they did as they returned to winning ways at Newcastle.

“It’s a hard place to go and nullify when they’ve got a lad who can throw the ball 70 yards, they’ve got huge height in the team, the pitch is tough, the environment is tough.

“But in terms of effort level, application and attitude, the players were fantastic.

“We defended with such courage and honour. And when we broke we looked dangerous.

“I thought in the first half we were good at times but we struggled to connect our passes. When we did, we looked threatening.

“We knew what we were going to get – they’re direct, they’ve got a long throw, they looked to play off their front man.

“Our two centre-halves are both kids in football terms, but they were both superb as were the back four.

“In the second half we changed the shape slightly. I thought second half tactically we got it spot on as a group.

“We responded really well after conceding the goal. It was a great header by Harry Brazell from a great ball, and the second goal just showed that bit of magic, that bit of quality – the ball from Taylor (Kennerley) ball was outstanding, Connor (Hughes) did what he does best and hit the back of the net.

“So the second half was so pleasing.

“I’m really happy with the lads, just with their effort levels. Last week was tough, to walk away from that, but it just shows these lads do care and the lads coming in make a difference.

“It was really pleasing for the fans behind us who were cheering us on and overall it was just like a really happy dressing room and it’s about momentum now.

“Not having a game this week sort of kills that but it gives us time to work on shape and do some work behind the scenes.”