Midfielder Danny McKenna popped up with his second goal of the season to give Witton Albion a 1-0 victory over Mickleover Sports at a rain-swept Wincham Park.

With torrential rain falling throughout, it was credit to both sides that such a good game was played out, with some excellent flowing football at times which was a pleasure to watch.

Striker Kyle Hawley, who joined on loan from Morecambe for a month, made his debut up front alongside Will Jones in the only change to the line-up from Saturday's 1-1 draw at Whitby Town. James Murray was the man to miss out.

It was a scrappy start to the game as conditions played their part, with neither side holding on to possession for long enough periods to cause the opposition problems.

But as the game wore on, Albion began to show some dominance and put some pressure on the Sports goal.

On the quarter-hour mark, Cesaire Lingouba whipped in a dangerous low cross which just evaded Jones at the far post, while Josh Wardle fired over following a James Short corner soon after.

Lingouba was causing problems down the right and another low cross forced a corner with Albion building pressure.

At the other end, Mason Warren fired an effort from distance well wide and Chib Chilaka shot straight at Chris Renshaw as they looked to grow into the match themselves.

Billy Smart did well to hang in the air long enough to get his head on the end of a right wing cross only to see his effort drift wide, before the best chance of the half with five minutes remaining before half time.

McKenna picked up the ball about 25 yards out and curled a shot which looped onto the top of the crossbar and bounced over the top.

Witton dominated the early stages of the second half although goalscoring opportunities were few and far between.

Jones fired wide from 20 yards, while Liam Goulding ran fully 70 yards before seeing his shot saved by Mickleover 'keeper Nathan Broome.

Jones had another effort from the edge of the penalty area saved by Broome before the deadlock was broken on 70 minutes.

Lovely football down the Witton left saw Goulding burst into the penalty area. The former Altrincham man cut the ball back across goal and McKenna was on hand to slam the ball home from 10 yards for his second goal in the opening two games.

The goal drew a response from the visitors and Jack Storer shot wide from distance as they looked to get a foothold back in the game.

Jones was denied again by Broome after racing onto a ball forward before Sports' best chance of the game fell to full back Ben Turner. Up from the back, he found himself in space at the back post but his free header was off-target.

Substitute Tom Edwards forced Broome into another good save as a solid Albion rearguard kept the visitors at bay and secured three points for the first time in the 2019-20 season for Carl Macauley's team.

Witton Albion: Renshaw, Lingouba, Short, Wardle, Anson, Goulding, McKenna, Owens (Edwards 74'), Hawley, Jones, Smart.
Subs not used: Sorensen, Byrne, O'Hare, Neild.

Login