1874 Northwich vs Padiham

Recap

1874 NORTHWICH 5-4 PADIHAM NWCFL PREMIER 3RD OCTOBER 2015
1874 came out on top in a nine goal thriller at the Barton Stadium in which defences were largely absent. 1874 took the lead four times but could not finish the game off with Padiham equalizing three times. An open game from the start with both teams committed to attack, chances were created at both ends of the pitch throughout an entertaining game.

Mike Brandon and Ryan Jackson combined to set up Matt Beadle although he could only direct his shot at Padiham keeper Sean Davis. After Jackson had another shot saved by Davis, he delivered a cross into the path of Beadle who diverted the ball past Davis to open the scoring in the 15th minute.

Padiham equalized nine minutes later when Kieron Pickup rounded Matt Conkie before shooting home despite four 1874 defenders covering on the goal line.

1874 restored their lead in the 26th minute when good interplay on the edge of Padiham’s area saw Stuart Wellstead played in behind the defence, his low cross to the far post was turned into the net by Jackon from close range.

Padiham hit back in the 39th minute when Alex Ralph skirted round the back of 1874’s defence and unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle which flew past Conkie at the near post.

Four minutes into the second half 1874 took the lead for the 3rd time in a game which flowed from end to end. As the visitors struggled to clear the ball from their area Wellstead chipped the ball into the path of Beadle, who with only Davis to beat made no mistake with a first time shot.

Padiham went close to leveling the scores when Pickup headed wide and Conkie made two good saves to deny Alex Murphy. The 1874 custodian was unable to prevent Curtis Haley scoring with a header in the 58th minute to tie the game once again.

Jackson put 1874 in front again with a 62nd minute goal of the season contender. Picking up the ball wide on the left he cut inside a defender and sent a long range shot curling beyond Davis into the far side of the net.

Jackson had a cross cleared off the line before Wellstead gave 1874 a glimpse of daylight extending their lead to two goals heading home in the 70th minute from a Ryan Stewart free kick.

After Beadle went close to wrapping up the game with a long range shot which just cleared the bar, Conkie pulled off a fine save from point blank range to push a Mike West shot over the bar.

In the 80th minute Pickup ended a Padiham break by slotting the ball past Conkie to set up a nervy last ten minutes, in which Wellstead shot narrowly wide and Brandon blocked a Haley attempt. 1874 held on to claim the three points in a game enjoyed more by the 256 strong crowd than the two managers.

1874 | 4-4-2 | Conkie (GK), Connor, Thomas, Lomas, Stewart, Wellstead, Woolley, McNichol, Jackson, Brandon, Beadle Subs not used Haughton, Ward, Mason, James, Tulloch

Padiham | 4-4-2 | Davis (GK), Walne, Parkes, Cowan, Bamba, Murphy, West (Scott 86), Hill (Cross 69), Ralph (Fildes 81), Pickup, Haley Subs not used Turner, Massamba

Goals 1874 – Beadle 15, 49 Jackson 26, 63 Wellstead 70 – Padiham Pickup 24, 80 Ralph 39 Haley 58

Referee Michael Handley Attendance 256

MAN OF THE MATCH SELECTED BY MATCH SPONSORS 1874 CAR SHARE = Matt Beadle