THE gift of Saint Nicholas struck for Witton Albion in their Boxing Day triumph.
Nick Hepple, signed from Mossley on Christmas Eve, took only eight minutes to mark his Witton debut with a goal against Nantwich Town.
Joel Bailey added a second only 10 minutes later to seal a 2-0 success in Northern Premier League West against a side who started the day fourth on the ladder and well in the hunt for the play-offs.
Former Albion frontman Callum Saunders was sent off for the Dabbers in the 45th minute, giving the visitors to the U Lock IT Stadium an even higher mountain to climb which in the end proved too steep.
Ben Harrison’s side climbed two places to 15th as a result of their third successive win, putting them five points clear of the relegation zone.
The game ended with Hepple’s signing and his knack for goals as the talking point.
Blackburn-born 32-year-old Hepple left his mark on the previous sides he starred with, including AFC Darwen, Daisy Hill, Poulton, Kendal Town, Wyre Valley, Kendal Town, Padiham, AFC Blackpool and Wythenshawe Town.
He scored against Albion for Wythenshawe Town two months ago.
Prior to that, Hepple netted 23 times in only 24 appearances for AFC Blackpool.
Earlier in his career at AFC Darwen he netted 31 goals in 60 games and while playing in the West Lancashire League was also a scoring sensation for Poulton.
He spent some time in the British Army where he won the ‘Army Cup’ and the ‘Super Cup’ in back-to-back seasons, something which had never been done before.
He also scored hat-tricks in all four finals.
Meanwhile, 1874 Northwich’s Midland League ‘derby’ with Northwich Victoria finished 0-0 at Townfield - another game played in foggy conditions.
A goal-line clearance from a Matty Fenton header for 1874 was the closest the game came to a goal in the second half.
1874, who were missing Amarn Robinson due to illness but had Matt Woolley and Mark Reed back in the squad as substitutes, had two goals disallowed in the first half.
Vics only had three players in their ranks who featured in August’s 4-1 home defeat to 1874, with their side continuing to have a new look as each week passes under new co-managers Lee Duckworth and Luke Goddard.
Goalkeeper Monty Parkes and attacking midfielder Dom Murphy made their debuts for Vics.
Murphy, 24, joined the club on December 20 after a short spell at The West Texas University in USA.
He knows Duckworth well, having been together at both Alsager Town and Winsford United previously.
Parkes, 26, signed from Sandbach United earlier this month and previously had spells with Notts County, Corby Town, Kimberley Miners Welfare and Clipstone.
Parkes’ former club Sandbach were defeated 3-1 at home by Winsford United in North West Counties League First Division South.
Blues got on top early doors, with a Matty Birchall volley firing them into the lead in the third minute.
Headed goals from Reece Davies (16) and Birchall (50) ensured Winsford came home with the three points to stay second in the table.
Barnton’s match away to Runcorn Town in the same division was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
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