DISRUPTION from parting company with their manager 11 days before the start of the season did not prevent Witton Albion kicking off the new Northern Premier League West campaign with a win.
Albion, under caretaker manager and former long-serving defender Ben Harrison following Jon Macken’s exit, defeated City of Liverpool 2-1 at the U Lock It Stadium.
The visitors, who pipped Witton to a play-offs place last season, were ahead after only three minutes through Xenon Bahula.
But the hosts reacted well and deserved their equaliser on 41 minutes.
Joe Duckworth, who had a goal disallowed for offside a little earlier, got his head to Elliot Rokka’s corner just in front of the visiting keeper to find the back of the net.
The roles were reversed when Rokka bagged the winner only three minutes into the second period.
Duckworth laid off a perfect pass for his fellow forward to put the ball into an unguarded net.
There were plenty of chances for Witton to pocket a third and for the Purps to grab an equaliser, most notably home keeper Danny Roberts being saved by the woodwork on three occasions including twice in the six minutes of added time.
Across town, 1874 Northwich were 2-1 winners at home to Lichfield City in their first Midland League Premier Division game.
Matty Fenton fired them in front after eight minutes, benefiting from Tom Morris heading on a corner from Niall Osborne.
The lead was doubled at Townfield when Liam Fitzpatrick got away down the left before placing the ball under the Lichfield keeper.
Jack Arnold gave 1874 fans a nervy finale when he pulled a goal back for the visitors after 82 minutes but the hosts prevailed, making it back-to-back wins after their FA Cup success at Stockport Town a week earlier.
In the same division, Northwich Victoria also got their league campaign off on the right note.
Sam Unwin netted the winner in the 90th minute, adding to the equaliser from Callum Parker (83) after Uttoxeter had hit the front in the 76th minute.
Meanwhile, in North West Counties League First Division South, Winsford United extended their unbeaten run to four matches thanks to overcoming Sandbach United 3-0 at home.
All the goals came in the second half, with Blake Robinson (56mins) slotting in his effort off the post, Ollie Pope (65) poking home Saem Son’s cross and Leo Tanswell (68) making no mistakes with his finish after collecting a super ball over the top.
While it was a third goal of the season for Pope, it was the firsts for the other two.
Over at New Mills, Barnton earned a point with a 1-1 draw after shaking off their 4-0 home defeat to early pacesetters Alsager Town in midweek.
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