BEN Harrison’s first Witton Albion game in full charge finished in a 2-2 draw at home to Hednesford Town on Tuesday night.
Harrison, a loyal servant to the club as a player, has held the position on an interim basis since Jon Macken’s departure 11 days before the season started.
But the club’s directors have been pleased with a positive start to the season and believe there is plenty more to come from Harrison, his staff and their team.
Now, standing 19th place in Northern Premier League West, it is about turning some strong performances into winning results, as Harrison eluded to after Tuesday night’s draw.
In the end, Albion were grateful to Wealth Dasilva’s 98th-minute strike for a point when Harrison felt they had been good enough for a win.
Debutant goalkeeper Ellis Allen, the former 1874 stopper brought in following the departure of Skipper and regular netminder Danny Roberts, also made a big contribution to the share of the spoils with a first-half penalty save.
“I’m a little bit gutted and a little bit frustrated, and it’s weird saying that after scoring in the 98th minute,” said Harrison.
“I just feel we were really good.
“I don’t want to keep saying it and saying it, because people are going to think ‘well, you’re not getting the results’ but for the first 25 minutes of the first half we played some really good stuff and we should have been more than one goal ahead.
“Fair play to Hednesford, for the next 15 minutes they got on top, we got a bit sloppy giving the ball away. We got lazy off the ball, which we’d been really good at for the first 25 to 30 minutes.
“Ellis made a penalty save and we go in at half-time 1-0 up buzzing.
“In the second half we didn’t deal with two long balls. We didn’t deal with their decent winger’s pace but we’ve got to because we’d defended brilliantly again. I can’t think of a mistake the defenders had made but yet our opponents have scored two again.
“So that’s an area we’ve got to look at and we are. We are working at it.
“But then there was the character shown at the end. We didn’t stop.
“I’ll be more positive tomorrow, because it’s a good point, the performance, and we’ve shown good character, but tonight I’m feeling we’ve dropped two points.
“The lads are hungry and they’re disappointed with a point, even though we’re happy with a point as well.”
Albion head to Mossley on Saturday knowing a win could see them climb as many as eight places depending on results elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Winsford United made it nine wins on the bounce when they defeated Foley Meir 2-1 at home in the first round of the Edward Case First Division Cup first round on Tuesday.
Reece Davies’ goals in the 27th and 67th minutes ensured Blues joined neighbours Barnton in the hat for the second round, as The Villagers won 3-1 at Runcorn Town on Monday night.
In Saturday’s North West Counties League Division One fixtures, Winsford visit Abbey Hulton United while Barnton host Shawbury United.
Saturday’s Midland League Premier Division action sees Northwich Victory host Studley and there will be a trip to Shifnal Town for 1874 Northwich, who then welcome Romulus to Townfield on Tuesday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here