1874 Northwich vs West Didsbury & Chorlton

Recap

1874 moved up to 2nd in the League with a 1-0 victory over a well organised West side.

A fine header from Ryan Mitchell on the 63rd minute, after a superb delivery from Matty Ward, decided a close contest in terrible conditions.

Ian Street made 3 changes to the side which faced Rochdale Town in the FA Vase 3 days earlier, Dan Cawley made his first start for 1874, with Craig Farnworth also returned to the side after being unavailable in the cup and Stuart Wellstead came back in as 1874 changed shape.

The game started with the visitors the better side, playing the ball around well trying to gather a chance on goal and the first of the game fell to Ashley Woods, but his effort was blocked well by Craig Farnworth.

The game then found its rhythm which was end to end stuff, Beadle went close up the other end after finding space from Wellstead’s pass but his effort was also blocked by Anthony Potts.

A key opportunity arrived on the 15 minute mark, Matthew Kay set up Lee Gavin for a strike from 20 yards, but his effort lacked composure and flew harmlessly over the crossbar.

West had a penalty on the 24th minute, as Ashley Woods rounded Conkie, the 1874 stopper brought the forward down, and received a yellow card.

Matthew Kay stepped up to take it, but he chose power over placement which didn’t pay off for the forward as his effort smashed off the inside of Conkies right hand post and out to safety. A big let off for 1874.

The half continued to swing back and to with no side able to gain a foothold in the match, but 1874 were slowly growing in to it with Wellstead and Brandon both having good chances blocked well by centre half Kelvin Lugsden, signed on a dual-reg from Glossop NE.

Half time came with the game very much in the balance with 1874 feeling relieved after the West penalty miss.

The second half started well for 1874 as Beadle was fouled around 25 yards from goal, Wellstead took the freekick but it was just over the cross bar and failed to test Buckley-Smith in the West goal.

Matt Beadle had a great chance to give 1874 the lead, after the ball fell to him in the box, his effort was low and hard but a great reaction save from Buckley-Smith denied him giving 1874 the lead.

Mike Brandon was fouled by Lugsden which gave 1874 a great position for a freekick, Matty Ward stepped up and whipped in a fantastic ball which found an onrushing Ryan Mitchell who headed the ball home to give 1874 a lead.

West then put the pressure on 1874, the whole back four stood their ground well, and defended bravely with some great blocks and clearances, the partnership of Ryan Mitchell and Craig Farnworth was looking very impressive.

Kelvin Lugsden was sent off for West on the 90th minute after a foul on Stuart Wellstead, while the forward held the ball in the corner flag.

1874, marshalled well by Captain Matt Woolley, kept their composure and saw the game out for a massive 3 points which took 1874 up to second in the league and made it 6 wins from 6 games.

ATT: 216

MOTM: Matt Woolley

1874 TEAM: Matt Conkie, Paul Connor, Craig Farnworth, Ryan Mitchell, Louis James, Matt Woolley (C), Mike Brandon, Stuart Wellstead, Matt Ward, Matt Beadle and Dan Cawley.

SUBS: Steve McNichol for Dan Cawley on 76 minutes.

UNUSED: Corey Mason, Aiden Haughton, Stuart Tulloch, Dilan Lomas.

WEST D&C: Hayden Buckley-Smith, Callum Jones, Lewis Schofield, Matthew Eckersley, Kelvin Lugsden, Anthony Potts (C), Nic Evangelinos, Lee Gavin, Ashley Woods, Matthew Kay and Richard Gleave.