What Macken is saying about Witton's 'winner take all' final-day showdown

FOR Witton Albion, the play-off equation could not be simpler – win, and you’re in.

And for manager Jon Macken and his players, it provides true clarity as they bid to stay in the promotion shake-up.

Witton’s final game of the season is a “winner take all” affair as they make the short trip to City of Liverpool, who like them are contending for promotion from the Northern Premier League West Division.

Along with Bootle, both sides are tied on 62 points with Witton currently outside the all-important top five on goal difference.

That means a draw will not be enough to move to the right side of the dotted line but for Macken, it makes their preparations much less complicated.

They kept their fate in their own hands by recording an impressive 3-1 win against champions Leek Town on Saturday and the manager says these situations are examples of why he became involved in football.

“It’s been clear to me and the team that we needed to go and win these two games, irrespective of anything else,” he said.

“Our focus was on winning the two games and if we do, we are where we are and we’ll move onto to hopefully the next two.

“Nothing has changed in terms of my own preparation, what I’m looking at or the team’s looking at – we’ve got to go there and win.

“They’re a good side – they wouldn’t be where they are if they weren’t.

“Looking at their results, you can see they’re fighting for everything and they’re scoring goals, so it’s going to be a tough challenge but that’s what football is about.

“It’s about creating those challenges and putting yourself in moments where you can experience them and live it first-hand.”

Macken also called upon the club’s fans to travel to the Wirral in numbers to cheer their side on, with the game taking place at Vauxhall Motors FC’s vanEupen Arena.

“It anyone is undecided about coming, get yourself down there because it’s going to be a great day,” he said.

“It finishes off our season and if we can finish it the way we want, it will be a fantastic day.

“They’ve been fantastic – they’ve followed us everywhere and I can’t praise them enough.

“Hopefully we’ll have a few fans down there on Saturday.”

Should Witton be victorious, their play-off semi-final tie – a one-legged affair – will be played this coming Tuesday, April 30.

The opponent and venue would depend upon their final finishing position – second will face fifth and third will play fourth, with the highest-ranked team having home advantage.

The NPL West Division play-off final will be on Saturday, May 4, at the home ground of the highest-ranked finalist.