WITTON Albion knocked off higher-ranked opponents in order to take their place in the next round of the FA Cup.
Ben Harrison’s side will be part of Monday’s second qualifying draw following an impressive 2-0 win at Avro, who are currently riding high in the Northern Premier League Premier Division having earned promotion from Albion’s division – the NPL West – last season.
The damage was done inside the first quarter of the game, with James Steele giving Witton an early lead which was doubled by Tom Hoyle.
The result extends Witton’s excellent recent run to four wins from their last five games, with all four triumphs in that run coming without conceding a goal.
It is form they will be hoping to extend on Tuesday night when they host Wythenshawe in a return to NPL West action.
Unfortunately, Northwich Victoria suffered late heartbreak in their bid to join their neighbours in the next round.
They were on course to shock higher-ranked Atherton Collieries when they led 2-1 going into the game’s final stages – Joe Duckworth’s strike on the hour put Vics immediately back in front after Colls’ Chinedu Uche had cancelled out Will Lloyd’s opener.
However, the visitors scored twice in the last few minutes to turn the tie around and win 3-2 – Harry Forshaw levelled with five minutes of normal time left before Kieren Adams plundered an injury-time winner to condemn Lee Duckworth’s side to their first defeat of the season.
“It’s disappointing, and I’ve said that to the players in the changing room,” the Vics boss said.
“The second half is probably the first time we’ve let ourselves down somewhat.
“All over the pitch, we were second in that last half an hour and we’ve got to be better than that.
“There were frustrating moments in the first half when we were on top and we should have been a couple of goals up.
“If you don’t take those chances, you allow your opponents back into it.”
It is cup action again for Vics next up as they travel to Darwen in the FA Vase on Saturday.
In league matters, 1874 Northwich’s winless run in all competitions stretched to six matches with a 2-0 defeat at Padiham in the NPL West.
Rory Fallon’s side trailed from the third minute thanks to Jack Price’s penalty, with Fenton Davies doubling the hosts’ lead midway through the second half.
It was the first of three consecutive away fixtures for 74, who visit Atherton Collieries next on Saturday.
In the Midland Football League Premier Division, Winsford United continued apace at the top of the table by beating Wythenshawe Town 1-0 at Barton Stadium.
Kieran Brown was Blues’ hero by scoring the winner eight minutes from time to secure a seventh victory from eight league games, but they were also indebted to their goalkeeper Ryan Brown for saving a Sajjad Elhassan penalty shortly beforehand.
In the North West Counties League, Barnton were pegged back by an injury-time equaliser as they drew 2-2 with Foley Meir at Townfield Lane.
The Villagers had twice taken the lead in the game – Tom Stanton made it 2-1 before the break after Meir’s Tyler Mistry had cancelled out Kian Mattison’s early opener – but Luke Lewis struck in the 93rd minute to force a share of the spoils.
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