Witton's run

Farsley Celtic 1

Witton Albion 0

UniBond First Division

Saturday, October 23

WITTON Albion's 10-game unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday as failure to take early chances cost them dear.

A 77th-minute winner by Mark Stimpson ruined the day for Albion, particularly captain Brian Pritchard, playing his 200th game for the club.

Yet as early as the first minute things could have been very different as Lee Sutcliffe, not for the last time, rescued Celtic by saving Gareth West's shot.

A corner for Witton caused their opponents more problems but strikers Paul Hennin and David Anane saw efforts blocked by both defenders and the keeper.

Sutcliffe then had to dive full-length on 14 minutes to deny Hennin after a good move involving West and Anane.

The opening 15 minutes hardly set the tone for the rest of Witton's performance as they quickly went off-colour.

Farsley's new signing from Harrogate Railway, Danny Ames, came steaming in to meet a corner and although he flashed his shot high and wide, the warning signals were on red.

Phil McGing made a good save from Ian Blackstone's header to keep the game goalless at half-time.

On 52 minutes, a mix-up between McGing and Nigel Gleghorn let in Martin Regan but he couldn't get to the ball quickly enough. The same player then put the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for a push.

On the hour, Witton finally put a move together but Gleghorn fired his shot straight at Sutcliffe. However, the home side always looked the more likely to score and did so 13 minutes from the end.

Phil Turner, who saw one corner tipped over the bar by McGing, swung over another to the near post and Stimpson headed in.

The closest Witton came to an equalizer was when Danny Graystone hit a 25-yard shot on 82 minutes, but Sutcliffe once again frustrated Albion.

Witton: McGing, Anderson, West, Pritchard, Gee, Carter (Hill, 73 mins), Gleghorn, Boyd, Cox, Hennin (Graystone, 45 mins), Anane. Sub not used: Cooley.

Attendance: 121.

MoM: Charlie Boyd.

Referee: Peter Hides (Sheffield).

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