1874 Northwich vs Maltby Main

Recap

1874 NORTHWICH 1-2 MALTBY MAIN FA CUP PRELIM 29TH AUGUST 2015

A disappointing afternoon at the Barton Stadium ended with 1874 Northwich exiting the Emirates FA Cup at the preliminary round stage having lost 2-1 to Maltby Main.

The Northern Counties East Premier Division side, who had accounted for 1874’s NWCFL rivals Ashton Athletic in the previous round, were deserved winners against an out of sorts 1874. A hard working, well organized outfit they retained possession well against a disjointed home side handicapped by injuries to several key players.

An open game saw both teams going close to opening the scoring in the first twenty minutes. Nicky Darker and Brian Cusworth both had shots on target saved by 1874 goalkeeper Matt Conkie while Danny Thomas was forced to scoop the ball over the cross bar after Ben Thornton propelled header goal wards.

At the other end, Ryan Stewart swung in a corner from the right which scrapped the top of the cross bar in the 6th minute and ten minutes later Mike Brandon also hit the woodwork smashing a shot against the foot of the post.

Danny Thomas was caught in possession trying to bring the ball clear in the 30th minute, the ball was quickly passed to Darker who rifled a shot past Conkie from the edge of the area.

Playing too many long balls 1874 did not cause Maltby any concerns until after half time. Martin Hill fired a shot wide moments after the restart and Neil Chappell was denied by a last ditch tackle by Maltby captain Hayden Bennett, before the visitors doubled their advantage in the 55th minute. Thornton capitalized on some poor play at the back to shoot into the bottom corner from outside the area.

The introduction of substitutes Aiden Houghton and Aaron Kirk injected some life into an otherwise lacklustre 1874. Within minutes of rising from the bench Haughton had a header blocked on the line by Maltby goalkeeper Jamie Bailey.

A few minutes later the lively Haughton raced down the right wing before delivering a dangerous cross into the Maltby area, as the ball was about to drop onto Brandon’s head Bennett nipped in to head clear.

While 1874 were pushing forward in search of a way back into the tie they were leaving gaps at the back into which Maltby could break which they almost exploited. Cusworth blasted the ball over the 1874 bar in the 75th minute with the goal at his mercy following confusion in the 1874 defence and a minute later pulled a shot wide of the target when clean through on goal. Two minutes later another defensive mix up saw Cusworth roll a shot inches wide of the post.

1874 finally breached the previously water tight Maltby Main defence in the 81st minute. Paul Connor played a diagonal ball from deep towards the Maltby area where it was met by Brandon, who powered a header past Bailey from the edge of the area to throw 1874 a slim lifeline.

However, Maltby Main held firm to take their place in the First Qualifying round.

1874 – Conkie, Connor, James, Mitchell, Thomas, Chappell (Kirk 67mins), Hill, Woolley, Brandon, McNicholl (Beadle 80mins), Stewart (Haughton 57mins). Subs not used Edwards, Ward, Tulloch.

MALTBY MAIN – Bailey, Austin, Fawcus, Nodder (Poole 80mins), Barnett, Hemmingway, Outram, Darker, Cusworth (Lovell 85mins), Thornton, Youseff. Subs not used Gibson, Stancliffe (Swles 90mins).

GOALS 1874 Brandon 81 MALTBY MAIN Darker 30, Thornton 55

ATTENDANCE 260 REFEREE Andrew Cawtherley

Man of the match selected by match sponsors – “Where’s Simon’s Wallet” – Mike Brandon