Gallant showing ends in defeat for Academy Team.

Full Time Score from Sandbach Community Football Centre:

NPL Football Academy - Joma Division:

Witton Albion Academy 3 Matlock Town (Blue) 5.

Witton's Students put in an admirable performance full of effort and determination in their latest Joma Division fixture at Sandbach Community Football Centre on Wednesday afternoon against second-placed Matlock Town.

Massai Dearlove gave the Gladiators the lead early in the game but Jordan Coles got the Albion back in the game shortly afterwards. Dearlove then restored the visitors lead with his second of the afternoon before Ethan Harding levelled for Witton once again with the first of his two goals.

Matlock went in front for a third time late in the first half through Josh Devereux and took their 3-2 advantage into the break. The visitors added futher goals after the interval through Sam Elliott & Alex Phillipson to give themselves some breathing space before Witton replied one again through Ethan Harding to complete the scoring.

The gap between the two has widened slightly at the top of the table but the defeat represents only Witton's second loss of the campaign so far and the management along with the players, can take plenty of positives from their performances as they move forward.

TEAM:

Harry Hamlett, Callum Barnes, Thomas McLuckie, Ollie Griffiths, Stefan Sorensen, Ethan Harding, Jordan Coles, Stan Tatters, Owen Wynne, Lucas Bowley, Kyle Hill.

Subs: Owen Lees, Harry Mellor, Cameron Birkett, Tom Boyd, Ben Hickey, Joe Littleford, Luke Whalley.