BRIAN Pritchard has promised not to blame a bad pitch if Witton Albion come unstuck at Woodley Sports tomorrow, Saturday.

Instead he hopes his players adapt to the hosts’ artificial surface enough to score three points as the visitors seek a return to winning ways in Evo-Stik NPL Division One North.

“I despise with a passion playing on that type of turf,” he said.

“But I’ll not be allowing that as an excuse if we lose; it’s up to us to adjust.”

His team’s task is already a tough one against a side that is unbeaten in six league encounters as well as boasting the division’s best defence.

Chris Willcock’s men have shut out the opposition in half a dozen of their eight games to date.

“I’m expecting a hard game,” admitted Pritchard.

“Look at who they have added to their squad this summer, they have put together a decent team.

“But we’re going their feeling positive about ourselves after a good week on the pitch.”

Albion sent higher-ranked Marine out of the FA Cup last weekend before seeing off Alsager Town in the Cheshire FA Senior Cup’s first round in midweek.

Front pair Liam Newman, still searching for his first goal in the league since a switch from Winsford United, and Alex Titchiner are expected to return after they were rested on Wednesday.

However stand-in Mark Buchan scored twice in Witton’s 3-0 success, leaving Pritchard with plenty to ponder.

Paul Booth should return too ahead of a one-match suspension when Leek Town visit in the Doodson League Cup on Wednesday evening.

Woodley, hammered 4-1 in an FA Cup replay by FC United of Manchester in midweek, are without banned midfielder Chris Rowney.

However Gary Furnival, Brad Maylett and Stuart Rudd are all set to feature against their former club.