1st Team
Matches
Sat 02 Mar 2019  ·  Premier Division
Witton Albion Football Club
1st Team
J Foley (82' Pen), D McKenna (85')
2
1
Scarborough Athletic
Albs leave it late to secure all 3 points

Albs leave it late to secure all 3 points

Phil Chadwick4 Mar 2019 - 13:35
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Match Report kindly supplied by Paul Harper

There was a sensational late comeback at Wincham Park as two goals in the last eight minutes turned a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 victory over Scarborough Athletic.

A first half strike by Boro's James Walshaw was cancelled out by an 82nd minute penalty by James Foley before Danny McKenna fired home the winner three minutes later to complete an impressive turnaround.

There were two changes to the Albion side which started in midweek against Buxton. River Humphreys returned in defence while Cesaire Lingouba came into the midfield with Billy Smart and Osebi Abadaki dropping down to the substitutes' bench. Goalkeeper Ryan Neild also appeared among the substitutes after re-signing with the Club earlier this week.

After a slow start to proceedings, with a swirling wind playing havoc for both sides, the hosts almost took the lead when they struck the woodwork. An Anthony Gardner trademark long throw in was launched into the penalty area and captain Rob Hopley flicked a header which rebounded back out off the far post. James Foley followed up but his shot was blocked before the Boro defence cleared their lines.

Josh Wardle then sent a header which Seadogs goalkeeper Thomas Taylor dealt with before the visitors broke the deadlock with their first real attack of the game. Good play down the left hand side led to the ball finding the feet of striker James Walshaw who duly dispatched past Greg Hall from close range.

Walshaw almost netted a second later in the first half, getting himself on the end of a ball forward down the right, the striker dinked the ball over Hall but the shot didn't have enough pace on it, allowing Josh Wardle time to recover and clear the ball off the line.

Deep in first half injury time, Witton almost found an equaliser. A spell of pressure ended with a low left wing cross finding Anthony Gardner and the full back turned and sent a shot just wide of Taylor's goal.

With the wind at their backs in the second half, Albion put the visitors under an increasing amount of pressure. Foley had an early effort narrowly off target while a couple of dangerous crosses into the Scarborough area caused problems although lacked a final touch.

Just before the hour mark, Osebi Abadaki replaced Will Jones in attack allowing McKenna a more central role.

Greg Hall had to be at his best to tip a 25-yard free kick from Jamie Forrester over the crossbar midway through the second half, but it was Witton who remained on top and were enjoying the lion's share of possession.

McKenna steered a low effort wide from 20 yards whilst another Gardner long throw wasn't dealt with fully by the Scarborough defence and Foley's goalbound effort was blocked.

The equaliser finally came with eight minutes remaining. Foley was the creator as he burst forward onto a ball forward before being brought to the ground inside the penalty area. A spot kick was awarded by referee Paul Roots. Foley picked himself up off the deck, dusted himself down and fired the ball low into the bottom left corner of the net.

All the momentum was with the hosts and they took advantage three minutes later with the winner. The ball was bouncing around the penalty area before McKenna took control and slammed home a low left footed effort past Taylor from 15 yards.

Scarborough were unable to get back into the game in the latter stages with the hosts keeping hold of the ball well and seeing the game out to pick up another important three points.

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Mar 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

348

Competition

Premier Division

League position

6
Scarborough Athletic
10
Witton Albion
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