It’s rained for days and there is major local flooding.

With the River Derwents banks burst in Derby and the A52 and A61 shut it looks like an ‘Emergency’ to me, but it’s great that the game is on. The sky is grey and overcast, the wind is getting up and at only 3 degrees it’s feeling cold.

The pitch is flat but the grass cover looks a bit yellow considering the rain of the last 6 weeks and the touchlines in places are just boggy. With the road conditions, the weather and Derby away to local rivals Nottingham Forest on the Television as the early kick off it was not surprising that fans stayed away and there was only a disappointing attendance of 162.

There has been a team called Witton Albion based in the Cheshire town of Northwich since 1887 but no real match records before 1890. They played in Cheshire Leagues until promotion to the Northern Premier League in 1979. The sale of their old central town site to Sainsburys and the move to a new stadium at Wincham Park, 1989  sparked a resurgence in the club and promotion to the then ‘Football Conference’. This did not prove a happy time as they struggled for a few seasons in the bottom half of the league and eventually found themselves in the Northern Premier League Division South in 2008. They have since yo yoed in the league, up and down and sideways but find themselves now firmly embedded in the Northern Premier League.

 Mickleover Sports F.C. was founded in 1948 as Mickleover Old Boys and played for 44 years in the Derby & District Senior League. In 1982 the Sports Club decided on a more ambitious regime joining the Central Midland League and planning the move to Station Road which they achieved in 1992.Their rise through the Central Midlands League, Northern Counties East and eventually to the Northern Premier league for the 2010/11 season has been spectacular. But in 2011/12 they suffered their first ever relegation only to bounce back by 2015. They have maintained this level for a few years and built an impressive youth policy.

Mickleover Sports FC 1 Witton Albion 4

A what appeared to be a punt upfield by James Short in the fourth minute hit a Mickleover defender’s back and cannoned into the net for an early Witton goal.

Witton continued to dominate with Danny McKenna continually causing havoc down the right through the mud. Mickleover should have been on level terms though when on 36 minutes some slipping and sliding by the away defence left Lee Hughes with a great chance that he ballooned over the bar off a Witton defender.

Four minutes later Witton went further ahead when Billy Smart (No 8) headed in at the far post following a freekick.

Incredibly straight from the kick off Will Jones immediately intercepted the ball and from just in the Mickleover half lobbed goalkeeper Nathan Brown for an amazing goal and a three nil lead at half time.

The rain was now heavier, continual and making conditions worse as the teams came out for the second half.  Within 3 minutes Mickleover had a slim lifeline when Mason Warren converted a penalty. Witton continued their. Domination though and Danny McKenna  capped a fine performance on 85 minutes when he drove home a gifted opportunity following a corner.

Witton were deserved winners with their mid back three of  Wardle, Ansel and Goulding dominating the game.

No Chips here today and the food cabin is away from the bar exposed to the elements. To get a better experience a nearer location for the food and hot drinks to the bar for shelter and warmth would be better.