Chorley 0 Witton Albion 1

WITTON made it eight UnibOnd One victories on the trot, and two out of two for the season, as Victory Park lived up to its name for them on Tuesday night.

The only goal came from Danny Graystone on 19 minutes, a pefectly placed header from Mark Simms' cross.

Steve Haw almost made it two, but Chorley keeper Simon Marsh brushed his shot onto the post in the 28th minute.

Three minute sinto the second half, a questionable handball by Phil McGIng outside his opnalty area led to a yellow card for Albion's keeepr, but he was lucky not to see red.

Brian Pritchard and Gareth West were again outstanding at the back as Witton sat back and soaked up Chorley's pressure in the second half.

However, Graystone, who edged the man of the match award, almost made it 2-0 when he shot just wide from an Eddie Bishop pass.

Also impressive for Albion was debutant Matt Staley, who stepped in at right back after Lee Anderson failed a late fitness test.

BOYD'S BELTER

Witton 1 North Ferriby 0

ALTHOUGH the early season shout from the stands of "Come On The Boozers" was a reference to Witton's new ground name rather than the off field antics of their players, there was definitely a hangover from last season's failed promotion bid.

Albion struggled to get into their stride and regain their rhythm, but must be praised for their resolve in scoring a winner a minute after being reduced to 10 men.

Skipper Charlie Boyd spared the red carded Steve Haw's blushes with a 30-yard deflected drive 10 minutes from time.

It was the ultimate irony that on losing Haw, whose second yellow card followed some nonsense off the ball with Darren Phillips, that Witton found the breakthrough to secure their seventh straight league win.

The division's form team they may be, but it was only a 10-minute spell shortly after half-time when Nigel Gleghorn's men looked to stamp any kind of authority on their newly promoted visitors.

During this period, the player-manager himself came close with two long range efforts, one saved by Paul sharp the other inches over the crossbar.

Danny Graystone, Haw and newcomer Mark Simms were also frustrated not to find a way past Ferriby's agile keeper.

At the other end, Phil McGing was dispelling Albion's despair at not landing Dean Greygoose, as he made a scrambling save at the feet of Andy Flounders and showed good hands throughout the game.

He was beaten by Phillips, whose 40-yard lobbed volley clattered a post on the half hour. Ten minutes later, the same player should have given neat North Ferriby the lead, but he chipped over in a one-on-one situation.

Not that the visitors weren't lucky to still be at 0-0 as Witton, in the throes of a decent start to the game, were denied a clear penalty when Trotter handled in the area after Sharp dropped Lee Cox's vicious corner.

On an afternoon low on entertainment value, it was Gleghorn who almost brought the house down injury time as he sent in a shot from inside his own half, but Sharp, who had presented him with the chance, retreated in time to tip away.

But there will be plenty more Saturday afternoons for the corks to really pop at Bargain Booze Stadium.

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