Joe Edwards played a pivotal role in securing a 2-0 victory for Witton Albion against Chadderton in an early-round match of the competition on August 9, 2026. Coming off the bench, Edwards capitalized on a loose ball following a save by Chadderton’s goalkeeper Ollie Culkin to give Witton Albion the lead just after the 72nd minute. He then extended the advantage with a well-executed free-kick shortly thereafter, effectively sealing the win for the visitors.

Chadderton, who reached the later stages of the competition last season, showed strong determination throughout the second half and created numerous scoring opportunities. Despite being a lower-tier team, they put considerable pressure on Witton Albion’s defense following their concession. Among their chances, Dan McLaughlin’s effort was nearly converted but was cleared off the line by Jacob Hamman. Earlier, Cam Terry was noted for a crucial block against Theo Kerrigan’s attempt.

The match highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two sides. Witton Albion’s ability to remain composed and take advantage of critical moments ultimately proved decisive, while Chadderton’s dominance in possession and chance creation was not reflected on the scoreboard. The defeat ends Chadderton’s campaign in the current competition, denying them a repeat of last season’s noteworthy run.