Witton Albion 2 Curzon Ashton 1
Two second half goals from Rod Thornley put Witton through to the quarter final stage of the Unibond League Cup.
Albion manager Jim Vince took the opportunity to rest five first team regulars, however his side ran out comfortable winners at Wincham Park. Captain Tony Barras was amongst those rested, which appropriately meant Brian Pritchard skippered the side on his 600th appearance for the club.
Despite the Unibond Premier and Division One North leading goalscorers both in the starting line-ups neither side could find the breakthrough in a low key first half. Rod Thornley came closest for the home side on the half hour; his diving header from distance whistled past Carnell’s left post.
Five minutes before the break Curzon’s leading scorer Michael Norton could and perhaps should have given the visitors the lead – he headed wide when he had time and space to bring the ball under control in the box.
Curzon introduced Nick Allen at the break and within minutes the midfielder forced Witton keeper Will Smith to make a fingertip save from his fierce left foot strike.
Albion increased the tempo of the game and with it came the decisive goals. Midway through the second period Rod Thornley latched onto a through ball into the box, despite a hint of handball to bring the ball under control, the striker despatched his shot with a lazy ease past Carnell.
Thornley doubled the lead and his personal tally on 82 minutes. A scuffed clearance fell to his feet on the left edge of the box, his delicate chip from an acute angle floated into the top right hand corner and sealed the victory for the home side.
Chris Curley rattled a left foot shot against the bar on 90 minutes and two minutes later grabbed a stoppage time consolation for the visitors - heading home from close range.
Witton: Smith; Coo, Pritchard, Kearney, Brownhill; Drohan (Gill 45), Woolley, Craven (Brown 68), Brodie; Warlow (Rutter 59), Thornley.
Att: 231
