1874 Northwich vs Maine Road

Recap

A good crowd of 251 were treated to a impressive away performance that ensured 1874’s wait for a win would now be extended to 4 games.

1874 made 3 changes from the side which drew with AFC Liverpool on Wednesday night, With Matt Beadle on holiday, Ryan Mitchell injured and Captain Neil Chappell unavailable.

It was the visitors who started the game the brighter, within the opening minutes the lively Connor Hughes tried his luck from distance on the volley only to see his effort fly over Conkies crossbar.

Moments later, Ex 1874 man Martin Hill found space down the right after getting the better of Louis James, his cross found Jamie Roe, who needed no second invitation to try the spectacular, he hit a stunning overhead kick past Conkie to put Maine Road ahead.

With the fans in stunned silence at the brilliance from Roe, 1874 looked to respond quickly, and they came close, with Dan Shannon and Matty Ward combining down the left, it created space for Ward to have a strike at goal from on the edge of the penalty area, however his effort was wide of Livesey’s left hand post.

1874 were now beginning to push Maine Road back and press for an equaliser, in the 24th minute, Ryan Jackson forced a number of corners, one of which found Stadnicki who met the ball but couldn’t connect well enough to hit the target and test Livesey.

However, 1874 finally got what their play had deserved and equalised through Michael Brandon, a through ball by Steve McNichol found Brandon who span off the back of Dominic Chatfield and placed the ball under the onrushing Ryan Livesey.

Just after half an hour gone, Dan Shannon who was impressive for 1874 on the left had to be substituted due to injury, he was replaced by Ryan Stewart, who was involved straight away, his cut back to Paul Connor allowed the time and space for the August Player of the Month to deliver, his cross found Brandon, who powered a header goal bound which was brilliantly tipped around the post for a corner.

As the half time whistle blew, the score was level and 1874 were currently on top with Maine Road defending resiliently. This continued in the start of the second half, as on the 48th minute, Mike Brandon was fouled in the penalty area, where Matt Woolley took responsibility, his effort smashed against the upright and was cleared by the Road defence.

The penalty miss spurred on the away side which then scored what turned out to be the game winning goal, almost 30 seconds later, a through ball found Connor Hughes racing away from Josh Stadnicki, Hughes kept his composure when one on one with Conkie and placed the ball home to make it 2-1.

Maine Road now adapted to the scoreline and lined up more defensively ready to counter. The Maine Road second took it out of 1874 whom looked dejected in their play now.

Player/Coach Stuart Tulloch came on from the bench to give support to Mike Brandon as 1874 looked for an equaliser. But it was Maine Road who had the best chance on goal on the 78th minute, another counter attack saw the Road full back Josh Tinker with space on the right hand side of Conkie’s area, but he blasted it over instead of putting the game to bed.

1874 became wasteful and careless in the ending period of the game, a good chance very late on from a freekick saw it fly harmlessly in to Ryan Livesey’s gloves, and he kicked the ball up field Referee James Madine blew the full time whistle sparking scenes of delight from the Maine Road players who pulled off an impressive away performance.

1874: Conkie (GK), Connor, Stadnicki, Thomas, James, McNichol, Woolley (C), Shannon, Jackson, Ward, Brandon.

Substitutes: Stewart replaced Dan Shannon on 36 minutes. Tulloch replaced McNichol on 56 minutes.

Unused: Lomas, Bowyer & Hunt

GOAL: Mike Brandon – 31 minutes

Referee: James Madine

Assistants: Alan Butler & Christopher Duckworth.

ATT: 251