Irlam vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

74 SURVIVE STORM BRIAN AND IRLAM COMEBACK
BY GARRY CLARKE

IRLAM 1-4 1874 NORTHWICH BUILDBASE FA VASE 1ST ROUND 21ST OCTOBER 2017

Both teams deserved all the plaudits for battling away in atrocious conditions to entertain the 174 strong crowd as Irlam’s Silver Street ground was battered by “Storm Brian”, having taken an early lead 1874 Northwich always had the edge.

Playing into the driving ran which swept down the pitch, 1874 almost fell behind in the second minute but Matt Boland could only fire into the side netting. However, 1874 soon got on top with Paul Connor setting up Scott McGowan whose shot from twelve yards scrapped the top of the cross bar.

In the 10th minute McGowan found Taylor Kennerley on the far side of Irlam’s penalty area with a cross from the right. Kennerley hit a low angled drive, which took a slight deflection off a defender on its way into the net despite Irlam keeper Lee White getting his hand on the ball.

Six minutes later Adam Whitlock flashed the ball across the face of Irlam’s goal, a diving McGowan made contact with the ball but failed to force it home as it came off his chest and went inches wide.

Marcus Perry shot into 1874’s side netting and a Boland effort from distance went wide as the home side searched for an equaliser.

Kennerley doubled 1874’s advantage in the 38th minute with a well taken goal. Whitlock and Jake Parker combined to set Connor away down the right flank, his cross found Kennerley on the far side of the box, steadying himself he blasted the ball high into the net.

In the 41st minute Connor swung in a cross from the right which White was unable to gather, the ball glanced off the cross bar into the path of the following up McGowan who nodded the ball over the line from close range.

During the half time break the wind got stronger, the rain became heavier, but it seemed to inspire the home side who pulled a goal back a minute after the break. Perry skipped round the back of the 1874 defence, his cross from the left was not cut out allowing Gareth Rooney to smash the ball home from eight yards.

Minutes later Boland’s dangerous cross landed on the roof of 1874’s net, while Greg Hall had to react smartly to push an Isaac Illidge cross/shot away from danger.

Having weathered the Irlam storm, 1874 hit back a break and cross by McGowan set up Kennerley whose low drive from the edge of the area was pushed around the post by White.

1874 made the game safe in the 65th minute when McGowan raced on to a ball played over the top of Irlam’s defence, he pulled the ball back to Parker who struck the ball from the edge of the area through a crowd of players into the bottom corner.

In the closing stages Mooney twice threatened 1874’s goal without hitting the target and White did well to cut out a dangerous Whitlock cross before referee Richard Holmes, who in the conditions controlled the game well, blew the final whistle allowing the players to escape the elements.

IRLAM – White, Harewood, Holt, Morrison, Mills, Ledson, Mooney, Illidge, Iceley, Boland (Hughes 73), Perry (Greene 80). Subs not used Cassell, Barlow, Pollitt.

1874 – Hall, Connor, Woods, Pritchard, Mitchell (Lever 83), Jones, Whitlock (Houghton 80), M Woolley, McGowan, Parker (Riley 75), Kennerley. Subs not used Waite-Jackson, Spencer.

GOALS – IRLAM Mooney 46 1874 Kennerley 10,38 McGowan 41 Parker 65

ATTENDANCE 174 REFEREE R Holmes

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