Ben Harrison and Chris Herbert comments: Witton Albion, 1874 Northwich

Albion earned a point in a 1-1 draw at fifth-placed Wythenshawe in Northern Premier League West.

Isaac Graham gave Harrison’s side the lead in the 12th minute but Michael Phenix squared the scoring shortly before half-time.

“Wythenshawe are third or fourth in the form table and it’s a tough place to go. It is a good point but I felt our performance, particularly in the first half, merited a bit more maybe,” said Harrison.

“We took our goal very well, it was a good strike by Isaac and then we got in so many good positions – we could have been out of sight in the first half and we’ve said that quite a bit this year, but we do need to be more ruthless. We need to be clinical in those moments.

“And then Wythenshawe scored a good goal, though I’m not sure if it was offside, but it was a good bit of play, and we switched off.

“The second half I thought was more even. We still created more chances. We got in some great positions where the final ball was just lacking.

“I’m proud how we stood up to the little spell they had, they had quite a few corners and set-pieces where we won the first ball or threw bodies on the line.

“So it’s slightly disappointing not to take three points but I’m proud of the lads and it is a good point.”

Witton had been beaten by Wythenshawe Town 4-1 in midweek, so it was an improved showing.

Harrison said: “We didn’t think we played too badly on Tuesday in terms of how we played for most of the game, but then we stopped playing and fell apart quite quickly.

“On Saturday we made sure we didn’t do that and we went with a bit more in midfield, having four in there, and everyone put a shift in.

“That was probably the best game Isaac’s had for us. He was fantastic, especially the first half – not only his goal, but he was physical, strong in winning things, keeping the ball.

“Owen German’s a massive player for us and we missed him Tuesday, no doubting that.

“We stood up to it because they’re a good physical side, like a lot of teams are in our league. They’ve got good strikers who are lively and quick and strong, and we matched it. So we’re very proud and very happy with that side of our game.”

Having played twice a week, Saturday and then Tuesday, since mid-September Witton have the luxury of a full week between matches but the respite will not last for long.

“We’ll hopefully do a yoga session on Tuesday to give some aching bodies a rest and to help those lads with knocks,” said Harrison.

“So recover, and then we’ve got something like another four games in two weeks so we’ll rest this week and get ready for another four big games and hopefully we’ll win some more points.”

Witton will be next in action at home to Clitheroe on Saturday and then they will host Trafford next Tuesday.

1874 Northwich had a top-of-the-table date with Midland Football League Premier Division leaders Lichfield City on Saturday and returned home with a 2-2 draw.

It is a mark of their progress that they will have been disappointed to leave Brownsfield Road with a point, rather than three.

The Greens were looking good for the win until Callum Rudd scrambled home a 90th-minute goal to give the hosts a share of the spoils.

Herbert’s 74 side had twice taken the lead.

Tom Morris headed a free-kick in the 27th minute only for a defensive error allowing Callum Griffin to restore parity three minutes later.

A handball in the box led to Scott McGowan putting the Greens back in front from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute.

Herbert said: “We expected what we got in the first half.

“They’re a very direct side with big lads and they’re good at it. You play to your strengths in football.

“I thought they might have played a bit more football but they put everything on us and we defended really well, apart from the mistake for the goal which was poor.

“We got back into it in the second half and I thought we were excellent in the second half.

“Unfortunately we conceded a scrappy goal again, not defending it right, late on, so it was hard to take for that reason, but it was two very good sides and probably a fair result in the end if you look at the balance of play from the first half because they were a threat.

“When they kicked forward, going direct, it’s a purpose, they do it for second balls and they were good at it.

“We tried to do a little bit second half and it came off for us as well. It’s tough to take when you concede late on but they’d have probably been a bit gutted if they’d been beaten 2-1.”

Morris’ goal came in his third game back from injury.

“He’s massive for us. He’s a big threat on the end of set-pieces and we often dominate. Tom will always score goals for us on set-pieces. It’s just about how we set it up and plan it,” said Herbert.

New signing Theo Robinson, brought in from Nottingham Forest, was brought off at half-time in what was a tactical decision.

“He never did much wrong, but what we did notice with the ball going so long all the time we had to make us bigger to make sure that didn’t cost us and he was slightly smaller than some of their big lads,” said Herbert.

“He did well otherwise but we had to change it and go with a different plan. When we were going longer into the front men that’s what the change was for really, to do it a bit different.”

Herbert had a few words to say about striker Harry Showman, who is on loan from Salford.