WITTON Albion’s upturn in form hit arguably its highest point on New Year’s Day.
Jon Macken’s side started 2024 with a bang by beating high-flying Runcorn Linnets 1-0 at the U Lock It Stadium to make it three wins in their past five league outings.
The visitors arrived sitting second in the Northern Premier League West Division table, but were beaten by Brandon Newell’s strike six minutes after half time.
It completes a perfect festive period for Witton having won their Boxing Day derby fixture at 1874 Northwich to leave manager Macken a happy man.
"I’m delighted with the result and performance-wise, we played well today," he said.
"It was a good, battling game and I think we deserved the three points.
"At half time, I wanted them to get on the ball and be a bit more positive. We were rushing it a little bit in the first half and there wasn’t much composure, but they pressed us well.
"They’re in their position in the league because they’re a very good team but we came out on the front foot in the second half.
"We were getting the ball into good areas to create opportunities, and we had three or four good ones to win the game so we’re delighted."
Albion’s victory allows them to leap up to 12th in the table and means they are now closer to the play-off places than the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, 1874 Northwich remain bottom of the table as their winless run stretched into double figures.
The damage in their trip to Cheshire neighbours Nantwich Town was done by former Witton striker Callum Saunders, who scored in either half to secure a 2-0 victory for the Dabbers.
Damian Crossley’s Greens are now five points adrift of safety after a tenth game without success
“It’s a tough one and we’re struggling at the minute. We didn’t deal well enough with balls into our box,” the 1874 boss said.
“We’ve played some nice stuff at times and created some chances in the second half – it was a tight and scruffy game at times, but we have to deal better with their threat.
“Every time the ball goes in our box at the minute, it’s an opposition header on it – it’s a problem and we’re going to have to solve it.
“For all the little bits of positivity, we’re going to put ourselves in trouble if we don’t start winning games.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here