SKIPPER Josh Langley earned Witton Albion a share of the spoils at home to unbeaten Runcorn Linnets in Northern Premier League West on bank holiday Monday.
The 33-year-old central defender – and son of former Everton, Manchester City, Birmingham and Wigan Athletic midfielder Kevin – levelled the game at 1-1 shortly before the interval, with no further goals scored.
His effort wiped out a 29th-minute penalty coolly dinked into the back of the net by former Albion striker Scott Bakkor.
Langley, who joined Witton in mid-February, was one of three changes to the starting line-up from Saturday’s 3-1 win at Stalybridge Celtic which followed a disappointing home loss to Darlaston Town in midweek.
“I thought Runcorn slightly shaded the first half without creating too much but we stuck to our task and one thing we ask for was a reaction if it went wrong,” said Witton manager Ben Harrison.
“We didn’t really have that against Darlaston but the lads dug in against a very good side and with our one bit of quality in the first half we got the equaliser.
“Second half was great. Both teams had a few chances, both teams could have won it but on reflection it’s a point, and it’s four points from the weekend which we’d have taken especially after how low we felt last Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, 1874 Northwich bounced back from successive losses with a 2-1 success at Stone Old Alleynians on Monday.
They dominated in midfield, found some attacking spark in the second half and were solid defensively until conceding in the 93rd minute.
Tom Lawrence, one of three players brought in on dual registration from Leek Town ahead of the weekend’s action, started up front in place of Mike Hayes and chested home the goal which proved decisive in the 60th minute – not a bad way to celebrate his birthday.
Five minutes earlier, Kyle Worsley rounded the keeper and fired Chris Herbert’s side in front.
The victory leaves 1874, who bowed out of the FA Vase on Saturday, fifth in the Midland League Premier Division table.
“I think it was important today that we got a reaction from Saturday and to get the three points was the most important thing,” said assistant manager Steve Burr.
“But I thought everybody put a good shift in. We showed good energy, we had one or two missing but all in all it was a good all-round performance in which I thought we played some really good stuff.”
In the same league, Northwich Victoria made it a happy bank holiday all round as they backed up Saturday’s FA Vase win against Winterton Rangers with a 6-1 thumping of Abbey Hulton United at the APEC Taxis Stadium in Runcorn.
A-Jay Leitch Smith netted twice, including the opener in the 19th minute and the advantage was doubled almost immediately through an own goal.
James Potter (33mins) made it 3-0 at half-time, with further goals coming from Leitch Smith (49), Ryan Atkinson (67) and Sam Deering (85).
“We all would have taken any three points against a side we’ve got big respect for and I think will ultimately be up and around the play-offs come May next year,” said Vics co-manager Luke Goddard.
“But does the result surprise me? No, because that’s the talented group we’ve got and today it clicked.
“We scored six fantastic goals and it could have been more.
“We were disappointed to concede in the end so that was a bit of a blemish on a fantastic afternoon.
“But that’s being critical, at the end of the day the lads have been superb from minute one, we’ve completely dominated the game and scored some fantastic goals.
“We were persistent all pre-season working on a certain way we want to try and do things.
“Today we saw elements of that and hopefully the supporters saw that’s how we want to go and play and be ruthless and exciting to watch.
“I’m sure no-one would have walked away from this game and said that’s not entertaining and also solid at the same time in terms of the defensive platform.”
Vics, who conceded a penalty at the death, ended the weekend third on the ladder, one place above Winsford United who bagged a 4-1 success at Uttoxeter Town.
Blues were not at their best in the first half but still turned around one goal to the good thanks to Kallam Boyle’s 41st-minute header.
Momentum quickly turned Winsford’s way in the second half when Leo Tanswell’s shot was saved on the line by a defender’s hand.
Uttoxeter found themselves down to 10 men as a result and 2-0 behind after Boyle converted from the spot.
The third goal came from a bit of a scramble inside the box which concluded with Ryan Jackson finding the net at the back post.
Oli Pope was on hand to finish off the fourth goal after a weaving run and perfect lay-off from Ewan McGeady.
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