WITTON Albion will host Northwich Victoria in the Mid Cheshire District Senior FA Cup Final – and Jon Macken said he was pleased to be through no matter what.

Vics’ place in the showdown was secured last month when they won 3-1 at 1874 Northwich, but Albion had to come back from 2-0 down to beat lower league Winsford United on penalties on Saturday in order to progress.

Tom Pope came off the bench to score Witton’s two comeback goals during the 90 minutes.

“You’ve got to win the tie how it comes and we managed to do it on penalties after being 2-0 down, so I’ll take it,” said Witton boss Macken.

“Loads to improve on, loads we didn’t perform well in, credit to them because they battled really hard and scored two good goals. They could have had a few more, first half especially.

“I just don’t think we got going. We looked a bit lethargic, we looked lazy not just in running but in our selection of passes or decisions.

“I’ve got to be pleased because we’re through. We were 2-0 down, not really doing much in the game, so to end up winning on penalties I’ll take that.

“We’ve not been fantastic but sometimes it doesn’t work out like that. We can’t just turn up and expect to be fantastic every week.

“Teams are going to put up a good fight against us and I thought Winsford put up a really good fight. The workrate of some of their lads and some of their play I thought was very good.”

He had special praise for his substitute striker’s impact with two goals.

“You know what you’re going to get with Tom Pope,” Macken said.

“You can come up, play the ball into him, he’ll lay it off, his workrate and leadership on the pitch, put the ball in the box and he’s always going to be a threat like he was – he came up with two goals.”

Witton will be looking to continue their winning momentum in the Northern Premier League West on Saturday when they travel to eighth-placed Widnes, kick-off 3pm.

Albion, who are fourth, have won their last three matches in all competitions.