WITTON Albion cruised to the next stage of the FA Cup after brushing aside Bottesford Town – a perfect start to their 100th season of appearing in the competition.

Five different players got their name on the score-sheet, while Carl Macauley’s men kept a fourth clean-sheet of the campaign at the other end of a sodden Wincham Park.

They survived a scare before assuming control when goalkeeper Greg Hall reacted smartly to divert Finley O’Sullivan’s deflected free-kick to safety.
There was an element of fortune to Witton’s opening goal, Michael Wilson’s free-kick deceiving the visitors’ defence – and custodian Jordan Douglas – before creeping into the net.

However captain Rob Hopley doubled the home team’s lead with a stylish chipped finish.

The Poachers, from the Northern Counties East League’s top-flight, rallied at the start of the second-half before the outcome was settled when Matty Devine headed in at the far post.

James Foley converted from the penalty spot after a foul on Anthony Gardner ended early his afternoon and Will Jones netted his first goal of the campaign in the same way after Danny McKenna had been felled inside the area.

Witton | Hall (GK), Gardner (Gardner 75), Devine, Wardle, Wilson, Smart, McKenna, Owens (Cesaire 70), Hopley (Noone 78), Jones, Foley Subs not used Brewster, Moore (GK) Goals Wilson 23, Hopley 29, Devine 61, Foley 75 (penalty), Jones 85 (penalty) Booked Hopley, Wardle

Bottesford | Douglas (GK), Bowskin, O’Sullivan, Ridley, Johnston, McCarron, Hutson, Bridge (Cook 78), McMenemy, Bemrose (Johnson 78), Graves (Ladden 84) Subs not used Pembleton, Ellis, Cook, Simpson, Johnson, Ladden Booked Ridley, Bemrose, Bridge, Graves

Referee Les Sinclair Attendance 248

Additional reporting by Adam Harris

Videos courtesy of Vijay Anthwal