Runcorn Town vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

Runcorn Town 0-2 1874 Northwich

 by Jack Owen

1874 maintained their 100% record in competitive fixtures against Runcorn Town after a well deserved 2-0 victory at the Pavillions. This win moved the Greens into second place in the league table and with two games in hand on early league leaders Irlam.

1874 started the game attacking Runcorn Town with pace and this nearly paid off straight away, when a clipped through ball found its way over Jarrett’s head into the path of Tom Bailey, but his effort was palmed away by the keeper.

1874 continued to ask questions of the Runcorn defence when Sam Hind beat his marker and put in a great cross which narrowly evaded Tom Bailey but did find its way to Wellstead at the back post. However, his header went straight into the gloves of the Runcorn Town keeper.

Moments later, 1874 made the breakthrough that their good start had warranted. Woolley played a great ball to McGowan who provided a moment of brilliance – he showed  a great touch to take the ball past the advancing defender and then produced a lob from the edge of the box that left the keeper in difficulty and despite him being able to get his finger tips to it he couldn’t succeed in preventing the ball from nestling in the back of the net to give 1874 a deserved lead.

Buoyed by taking the lead, 1874 didn’t let up the pressure and minutes later Wellstead headed a cross back in towards the back post and McGowan was inches away from doubling the lead. Then Tom Bailey let fly from distance on the half volley, an effort which had the keeper beaten but touched the top of the crossbar as it went over

It was Bailey again that had the last chance of the half as McGowan showed great pace to beat Jarrett, then his cut back found Bailey, who opted to place his strike at goal. However the ball landed just wide of the left hand post as the referee sounded the end of a very good first half for the 74.

Minutes into the second half saw an horrendous collision between Runcorn’s  Danny Jarrett and goalkeeper Louis Mackin. This resulted in a lengthy stoppage as both players received treatment and, thankfully both players we’re not seriously injured – Jarrett was substituted immediately and Makin a few minutes later after he had tried to continue but had difficulty in doing so

To their credit, Runcorn tried desperately to get back on terms and put pressure on the 1874 backline but Paul Connor made a fantastic interception after a cross looked destined to find Thelwell, whilst Ryan Mitchell, who was a dominant figure for 1874 throughout’, provided a brilliant goal-saving tackle after 78 minutes  to prevent Cairns from getting a shot on target.

Runcorn were reduced to ten men when Heath received his second yellow card of the game after fouling Hind on the wing. From the resultant free kick, 1874 secured the win and three points as Rick Bailey reacted quickest to pick up the loose ball and showed the mindset to unselfishly play in Stuart Wellstead, gleefully fired in a powerful left foot shot low  across the keeper and in to the corner of the net to put the result beyond any doubt.

Runcorn Town went down to nine men when Excell received a straight red card after a bad tackle on Rick Bailey.

After an understandably long period of added time the referee blew his whistle to call an end to proceedings – this was an excellent performance from 1874 against a strong side that look sure to be up there throughout the season

1874: Hall, Connor, Mitchell, Thomas, Russell, Wellstead, M.Woolley (C), Chappell, Hind, T.Bailey, McGowan.
Substitutes: Rick Bailey for Neil Chappell (75 minutes)
Unused Substitutes: Middleton, Walker and J.Woolley.

Attendance: 237