Witton Albion 0 Hednesford Town 2
WITTON lost three points and two men on Monday.
It was their first defeat and one of those narrow margin thrashings sometimes teams who are never in the hunt get away with.
Their two red cards follow six bookings at North Ferriby, though the dismissal of Gary Scott in injury time was due to mean refereeing rather than dirty play.
Ref Peter Branks couldn’t get his card out of his pocket quick enough to show Liam Coyne in the 70th minute for his thuggish reaction to a late challenge by Anthony Maguire.
Scott conceded a penalty by tripping Ross Dyer and it was the kind of offence most officials nowadays are content to let the spot-kick be the punishment. Ross Draper converted.
After a bright start in which Mark Drew pulled clever strings in midfield and tried long distance shots, Albion quickly faded.
They had no ball winner in midfield, no punch up front and were never comfortable at the back, where Coyne looked uncertain as to his role.
Hednesford could easily have scored five or six and would have, too, but for the wayward finishing of Tyrone Barnett and Dyer, who missed a couple of sitters each.
Dyer raced through the middle to beat the advancing Greg Smith in the 40th minute.
Witton: G Smith; Scott, Coyne, Pritchard, Donnelly; B Thornley (Awang 18/Lugsden 37), Drew, S Smith, Gahgan (Thacker 78); Settle, R Thornley.
Attendance: 481
Match Rating: 5/10
Albion boss Nigel Deeley aims to sign two centre backs, with one making his debut at Guiseley on Saturday when Liam Coyne begins a three-match ban. He also promised to address apparent indiscipline after six yellow and two red cards in two matches.
Witton are at home to Ilkeston Town on Tuesday.
