1874 Northwich vs Padiham

Recap

UNBEATEN START CONTINUES
By Garry Clarke

1874 NORTHWICH 2-0 PADIHAM HSL PREMIER 26TH AUGUST 2017

1874 Northwich’s unbeaten start to the season continued with a comfortable 2-0 win over Padiham at St Luke’s Barton Stadium. A victory which places them in a group of six teams on seven points in the HSL Premier Division table, two points behind joint leaders Charnock Richard and Runcorn Town.

The visitors almost caught their hosts cold as Mark Coyne headed just over 1874’s bar in the 3rd minute. The early wakeup call prompted 1874 into action as they took the lead in the 6th minute.

Kyle Riley played the ball forward into the path of Scott McGowan; the livewire striker overcame the challenge of a Padiham defender before advancing towards goal. Steadying himself, he lifted the ball over the out coming goalkeeper for his 6th goal of the season.

McGowan went close to doubling his tally two minutes later but his shot was blocked by a Padiham defender, while in the 16th minute Riley directed a header inches wide of the target.

Having had their pre match preparations thrown into chaos by the resignation of their manager and his back room staff on Friday, Padiham rallied and finished the first half on top.

1874 goalkeeper Greg Hall punched away a corner, but as Adam Whitlock tried to clear further down field a Padiham player blocked the clearance, the ball fell to Coyne who from 10 yards out shot over the bar.

In the closing minutes of the half, Dominic Craig sent a long range shot over 1874’s bar, while Padiham goalkeeper Callum Dwyer saved a similar attempt from McGowan.

1874 started the second half slowly as Padiham held the upper hand. Paul Connor was forced to scramble a corner off the line, while Jake Townsend and Ben Hoskins both fired shots over 1874’s bar.

Never giving up, Padiham continued to search for an equaliser but their attacks were foiled by a solid 1874 defence led by man of the match Danny Meadowcroft, backed up by the safe and confident handling of Hall.

1874 doubled their advantage in the 55th minute. McGowan slipped the ball into Whitlock whose curling shot was deflected wide for a corner. From the corner the ball was played to Whitlock who fired a shot towards goal; standing in the six yard box Riley’s thigh deflected the ball into the net off a defender.

Padiham were reduced the ten men in the 75th minute when Kieron Fletcher brought down Riley as he tried to run onto a long ball played over the top of the visitors defence.

From the resultant free kick Dwyer pulled off a fine save to deny Whitlock. Either side of the free kick the Padiham custodian also saved well to prevent Riley, Whitlock and McGowan from scoring. He also reacted quickly in the final minutes to recover and grab the ball before it entered the net after he was wrong footed as a deflection took Jake Parker’s shot past him.

1874; Hall, Connor, Woods, Pritchard, Meadowcroft (Lever 79), Parker, Whitlock, Hind, Riley (Clayton 84), McGowan, Beadle (Waite-Jackson 14). Sub not used Spencer.

PADIHAM; Dwyer, Brierley, Walke (Carter 74), Fletcher, Barski, Hoskin, Craig, O’Brien Hargreaves 79), Coyne, Pickup, Townsend (Murphy 65). Sub not used Loftus.

GOALS; 1874 McGowan 6, Riley 55

ATTENDANCE 228 REFEREE: R.Watson

1874 MAN OF THE MATCH = DANNY MEADOWCROFT

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