Rochdale Town vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

ROCHDALE TOWN 2-4 1874 NORTHWICH FA VASE 1ST ROUND 31ST OCTOBER 2015

1874 Northwich overcame a spirited Rochdale Town winning 4-2 at the Mayfield Sports Centre to progress to the second round of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

Despite struggling towards the wrong end of the NWCFL First Division table the hosts made life difficult for 1874, working hard throughout an entertaining game Rochdale were a match for 1874 although the visitors, despite not being at their best, never looked like losing.

1874 started strongly, Rochdale’s goalkeeper Mike Smith saved well to keep out a Ryan Mitchell header in the 5th minute and a couple of minutes later denied Mike Brandon, who also fired a long range shot narrowly wide as did Matty Ward. Desperate Rochdale defenders also had to scramble the ball clear of their goal on a couple of occasions.

Having survived the early onslaught, Rochdale started to come more into the game. Ryan Alessandra whipped a dangerous cross into the 1874 area, but could not find a team mate. Ryan Burgess sent two long range shots wide of the target and Carl Fitton tried his luck with an attempt from the half way line which Matt Conkie easily dealt with.

In the 27th minute Brandon combined with Matt Beadle outside the Rochdale area, as Brandon entered the penalty area he was felled by a Rochdale defender. After a few seconds deliberation as he assessed the extra markings on the pitch also used for Rugby League referee Sam Barrett pointed to the penalty spot. Beadle sent Smith the wrong way to put 1874 in front. As the half drew to a close Smith did well to tip an Aiden Houghton shot from the left wing over the bar after Rochdale had had several shots blocked by desperate defenders.

The opening minutes of the second half saw Louis James fire a shot over the bar, while Conkie tipped a Fitton free kick over the bar before 1874 travelled along route one for their second goal in the 53rd minute. Beadle flicked Conkie’s long clearance into the path of Brandon who slotted the ball past Smith.

Rochdale pulled a goal back in the 69th minute when hesitation in the 1874 defence allowed Scott Afrey to nip in and score from close range. Three minutes later 1874’s two goal advantage was restored when Ward unleashed a low drive from 25 yards which evaded Smith. Ward went close to further increasing the lead ten minutes later when his surging run from midfield through the defence was halted by a last ditch tackle as was about to shoot with the goal at his mercy.

After Alfrey smashed a volley into the side netting, Dan Cawley settled 1874’s nerves with an 88th minute goal shooting home from distance. However, before 1874 could take their deserved place in the next round Gareth Hill lost his marker at a corner to head home from a corner deep into stoppage time.

1874 – Conkie, Connor, Lomas, Woolley, Mitchell, Brandon, Kirk, Houghton (Cawley 82), Beadle (Tulloch 87), Ward, James. Subs not used Stewart, McNicholl, Mason.

ROCHDALE TOWN – Smith, Alessandra, Fitton, G.Hill, J.Hill, Astley, P,Carey (Alfrey 68), Burgess, Thompson (Owens 81), Bennion, Disley. Subs not used j.Carey, Kershaw, Williams.

GOALS – 1874 Beadle 27, Brandon 53, Ward 72, Cawley 86.

Rochdale Alftey 69, G.Hill 90+5

ATTENDANCE 142 REFEREE – Sam Barrett