WITTON Albion put their previous week’s poor showing behind them to secure an impressive victory at Chasetown.
Freddy Garbutt netted twice as Ben Harrison’s side’s 4-2 success left Chasetown licking their wounds from only their second home league defeat of the season.
Albion, needing a response after their thumping at home by Kidsgrove Athletic the previous weekend, could not have got off to a better start as striker Joe Duckworth netted after only 15 seconds.
The hosts, who went into the Northern Premier League West contest on the verge of the play-offs places and on a six-match unbeaten run, levelled matters through former 1874 Northwich and Northwich Victoria centre forward Max Chimenes.
But two goals from Freddy Garbutt in 10 minutes, the second from the penalty spot, handed Witton a 3-1 interval lead.
Tom Thorley pulled a goal back in the 65th minute and then Albion lived dangerously at times, with the crossbar saving them from a Chimenes leveller three minutes later.
Christy Edwards, marking his further one-month loan extension from Wigan Athletic, eased the nerves with Witton’s fourth in the third minute of added time.
Meanwhile, Northwich Victoria’s sequence of five successive league wins ended at Coton Green though they did not come home empty handed.
That was thanks to Jefferson Abreu who sealed his side a 1-1 draw thanks to the leveller in the 95th minute.
Vics, who were missing a few key spine players and handed a full debut to Will Igoe, would have been disappointed with the goal they conceded four minutes into the second half against a side who have now moved into the play-offs places.
Keeper André Mendes gave the ball away straight to Coton’s Josh Beeson who was quick to react and find the bottom corner.
Vics remain four points clear at the top of the table.
Also in the Midland League Premier Division, 1874 Northwich came from behind to overcome Stourport Swifts 2-1 at Townfield.
Chris Herbert’s men, who included new signing Braidin Derbyshire from Burnley FC up front, fought back strongly in the second half.
Matt Woolley levelled matters and Sekouba Camara came off the bench to hit the decider with his first goal for the club and extend his side’s unbeaten run to six matches - nine without defeat in the league - to occupy sixth spot on the ladder.
Winsford United completed a happy day in the Midland League for our local sides.
Blues, playing their first league game for 49 days, were 3-1 victors at home to Uttoxeter Town, with the goal-scoring opened by midfielder Sam Elliott in the fourth minute on his full debut.
He smashed home a fine lay-off by Matty Birchall.
Winsford did not double their cushion until seven minutes into the second half when Elliott Coleman made the most of a rebound.
Uttoxeter halved the deficit again in the 68th minute but order was restored when a speculative shot from Reece Davies deflected in off a Town defender.
Winsford sit 10th on the ladder with between one and five games in hand on sides above them.
