IT was a largely positive afternoon for our football clubs on Saturday, with all bar one of the regions highest-ranked teams recording victories.
1874 Northwich and Winsford United continue to blaze a trail in their respective leagues, with Northwich Victoria and Barnton also in the winner’s enclosure.
However, Witton Albion could not make it a full house as they were knocked out of the FA Trophy.
Here’s a fuller account of everything that happened at the weekend…
WITTON Albion’s FA Trophy campaign fell at the first hurdle as they succumbed 3-1 at home to Bradford Park Avenue.
Ben Harrison’s men trailed their first qualifying round tie at half time after Dan Francis gave the visitors an 18th minute lead at the U Lock It Stadium.
However, Witton made the perfect start to the second half as Harry McGee pulled them level just two minutes after the restart.
Unfortunately, though, parity was to last only 10 minutes as Paddy Sykes restored the Yorkshiremen’s lead before Kelan Swales made sure of the victory.
Witton’s focus switches back to Northern Premier League West Division matters on Tuesday as they play host to Vauxhall Motors.
Meanwhile, 1874 Northwich’s perfect start to life in the Midland Football League Premier Division continued with a 3-1 victory at Tividale.
Chris Herbert’s men had to come from behind to do it as they trailed through an own goal with 20 minutes to go, but player-coach Mark Reed came off the bench to inspire a turnaround.
Reed netted twice either side of Liam Fitzpatrick’s goal to make it five league wins from as many games for Greens.
“We never got going today but when you haven’t lost, teams are going to want to be the first to beat you,” assistant manager Steve Burr said post-match.
“They raise their game and Tividale did that – when they went 1-0 up, they deserved to be one up.
“We’re going to have a few of those games this season but the thing for us is not getting too frustrated when things aren’t going so well for us.
“We had a number of players missing today but the lads that came in did really well.
“We changed things around a bit in the second half and got our rewards in the end.”
1874 are on the road again on Tuesday night as they visit Uttoxeter Town.
Elsewhere in the MFL Premier Division, Northwich Victoria were convincing 3-0 winners at home to bottom club Romulus.
Mama Djabi netted twice for Vics at Barton Stadium after Jackson Kelly had opened the scoring to keep Matt Barnes’ side on the edge of the play-off spots in sixth place.
“We asked them to do a job like we always do, and they did it properly on the pitch,” assistant manager Chris Broad said.
“They did it perfectly – we couldn’t have asked them to do anymore.
“Even the lads that came off the bench, they took their instructions on perfectly and professionally, so it was a good performance.”
Vics are at home again on Wednesday evening as they host Stone Old Alleynians.
In the North West Counties League, Winsford United’s excellent start to the First Division South season continued with their eighth victory in 11 league games.
Sean Tierney struck the winner before the hour as Blues won 2-1 at Wolverhampton Sporting Community, with Elliot Coleman having opened the scoring for Winsford before Isaac Phillips levelled for the hosts before the break.
Winsford sit third in the table and turn their attention to the Edward Case Cup on Tuesday as they host Market Drayton Town, whom they thrashed 4-1 in the league just last weekend.
Barnton were also able to get themselves back to winning ways as a goal in either half secured a 2-0 win over Cammell Laird at Townfield.
Matthew Williams opened the scoring for the hosts midway through the first half, with Lee Turkington doubling their lead just after the hour mark.
The Villagers are 13th in the table and are next in action on Saturday when they visit Eccleshall.
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