THREE goals in 11 minutes left Albion, both on and off the field, shell shocked.
FC United of Manchester, who formed just three years ago, threatened to inflict Witton’s worst ever defeat in the Northern Premier League.
That they didn’t bore great testimony to the 11 yellow-shirted players that fought hard at Bury’s Gigg Lane ground, in front of the largest crowd for a Witton Albion fixture in 15 years.
With just 14 seconds of the match gone, the large travelling contingent of noisy Wittoners were silenced as former Wincham Park hitman Kyle Wilson took advantage of a weak back pass from Gary Burke to score.
On four minutes, Wilson doubled United’s lead after a poor punched clearance from keeper Greg Smith.
Seven minutes later the rampant home side were three ahead as Chris Baguley, following a quick one-two with another ex-Albion player Adam Carden, slotted the ball past Smith.
Any remaining hopes Albion had of getting back into the match were dashed in the 39th minute when Carden’s cross saw Gary Scott seemingly get the last touch under intense pressure from Baguley.
Albion fans finally had something to cheer deep into first-half stoppage time when Lee Thompson bustled the ball home after Mark Drew’s free kick was not cleared.
Witton boss Nigel Deeley made his second substitution during the break and Albion strived to pull the scores closer. But on 66 minutes, FC hit Witton on the break with an attack that culminated in Jerome Wright’s exquisite chip over Smith for United’s fifth.
Smith then spared Witton’s blushes by saving a Wilson penalty and buoyed by the keeper’s heroics, Albion rallied and Lee Thompson smashed home his second after outstripping his markers.
Rod Thornley had the final say late on when cutting in from the right and slotting the ball past FC keeper Ashton.
Witton: G Smith; Scott, Dunne, Burke (Schwarz 45), Donnelly; S Smith (Thaker 15), Drew, Willis (Skelton 60), B Thornley; Thompson, R Thornley. Unused Subs: Pritchard, Millington.
Att: 2,201.
Match rating: 4/5.
