5:53pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013
By Andrew Simpson
WITTON boss Brian Pritchard says a point is a worthy prize for both teams after yesterday’s draw with neighbours Nantwich.
Albion led the Dabbers twice before Steve Foster’s dismissal as punishment for two cautions, the visitors earning a share of the spoils through Sean Cooke’s deflected free kick late on.
“It was an old fashioned game of football with both teams having a go at each other,” said Pritchard.
“I’m disappointed not to have won because we were in front twice, but I think Nantwich can make a similar argument as they finished strongly.
“They have a fantastic away record, so for us it’s a point gained, not two lost.”
The table reflects his view for Witton return to fourth place after Worksop lost at Ilkeston, who visit Wincham this weekend.
Avoiding defeat after three successive postponements was Pritchard’s priority.
He said: “The players have been stuck in training mode, so were champing at the bit to get out there.
“A lot of rust has come off as a result, and it was good to see lads digging in and rolling up their sleeves even though we weren’t ever at our best.
“They came in at half time and said they were unhappy with the quality of a lot of things they’d done, but that was always going to be the case after an enforced break.
“Our season has effectively had to restart from now.”
Foster’s stunning opener put Albion ahead before the break, only for former Northwich wide man Lewis Short to restore parity after firing past Matt Cooper at his near post.
Nantwich goalkeeper Jonathan Brain hauled down Foster to concede a penalty, converted by Anthony Gardner, with five minutes left.
But Cooke’s set piece means Witton draw a league game for the first time since September, a 16-matches sequence without a tie.
“The sending off gave them an incentive to have a real go at us late on,” added Pritchard.
“Steve [Foster] let himself down and apologised straight after the game, and losing him certainly left us under the cosh for the final few minutes.
“To be fair, Nantwich had controlled the game more in the second half even though we created better chances than they did.”
Witton return to action at home to in-form Ilkeston, victors in seven of their past nine league games, this Saturday.
To read a match report of yesterday's game, click here: http://bit.ly/Tv3CI4
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