1874 Northwich vs Barnoldswick Town

Recap

B’s STING BARLICK BY GARRY CLARKE

1874 Northwich survived a late comeback to defeat Barnoldswick Town and leap frog their opponents into 4th place in the NWCFL Premier Division table.
In the opening exchanges, Barnoldswick’s goalkeeper Jordan Gidley held onto a curling Ryan Jackson shot, Mike Brandon flashed a volley wide of the target and Barlick’s John Beckwith headed against the post.

1874 opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Jackson drove the ball across the face of the Barlick goal into the path of Brandon who finished with ease from close range.

1874 went close to doubling their advantage moments later when Matt Beadle shot across goal and Stuart Wellstead was denied by a brave Gidley save after Beadle had flicked on a long ball to set him free. 1874 were dominating the game but had to be careful not to be caught out on the break. Just before the interval Beckwith broke down the right wing, crossed to James Croken who dragged his shot wide.

After a slow start to the second half 1874 started to exert pressure on the Barnoldswick goal. Gidley half punched a free kick clear, falling to Beadle on the edge of the area, his shot into a packed penalty area was scrambled clear.

There was no denying Beadle on the hour mark as he guided a Wellstead cross into the Barlick net.

Searching for a third goal, Jackson shot wide, Wellstead headed over from a corner and a perfectly timed tackle by Shaun Airey denied Jackson as he was bearing down on goal.

An equally good tackle by Danny Thomas robbed Mark Threlfall as he was about to shoot, while Matt Conkie had to be alert to beat Ben Gorman to a through ball as Barnoldswick launched a later comeback.

Better known for his exploits at the other end of the pitch Brandon, reveling in his new role in midfield, exemplified 1874’s determination. Heading clear a free kick he followed up by blocking a shot on the edge of the area before chasing after the ball and winning a tackle to force the ball out of play.
Well marshaled by captain Matt Woolley, playing in an unfamiliar position in the back four, 1874’s resolute defence was breached in the 88th minute. Failing to clear a corner, 1874 allowed the ball to drop to Tom Henderson who swept the ball home from six yards.

With time running out there was still work to be done before the three points could be claimed. As the game entered stoppage time, Barlick launched one last attack, Jake McEnearney and Carl Ellerton both had shots blocked by desperate defenders and Ellerton had a header from the resultant corner cleared off the line by Paul Connor.

1874 – Conkie, Connor, James, Woolley, Thomas, Brandon, Wellstead, Kirk, Beadle (Haughton 81mins), Ward, Jackson. Subs not used McNicholl, Mason, Crawley, Lomas.

BARNOLDSWICK – Gidley, Moore, Ellerton, Crorken, Ridehalgh, Airey (McEneaney 68mins), Beckwith (Henderson 68mins), Britton, Threfall, Thompson (Hutchinson 83mins), Gorman. Subs not used Barnes, Pollard.

GOALS – 1874 Brandon 14, Beadle 60 BARLICK – Henderson 88

ATTENDANCE 248 REFEREE Matthew Bristow

MAN OF THE MATCH SELECTED BY MASCOT HAYDEN SANDS – Louis James