1874 Northwich vs West Didsbury & Chorlton

Recap

LATE GOALS LIFT 1874 INTO SECOND

By Garry Clarke

1874 NORTHWICH 4-1 WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON
HSL PREMIER 10/09/16

Three late goals secured 1874 Northwich a 4-1 win over West Didsbury & Chorlton and the three points required to leap frog their opponents into second place in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division table behind Atherton Collieries on goal difference.

Tom Bailey almost opened the scoring in the first minute, 1874 launched an attack straight from the kick off, Scott McGowan broke down the right pulled the ball back to Bailey who struck a shot from the edge of the area, the ball cannoned off a post and rolled across the face of goal to safety.

The early action ebbed and flowed from end to end of the St Lukes Barton Stadium pitch with both sides creating chances. Paul Connor drove the ball wide of the far post as did Stuart Wellstead, while West’s Jon Poizer also shot wide and Ashley Woods blasted a shot high over the bar.

Bailey was the creator of the breakthrough goal in the 29th minute. He cut open West’s defence sliding a pin point pass into the path of McGowan who skipped round the West goalkeeper to slot the ball into an empty net.

1874’s lead lasted just four minutes, as Woods held off a defender, let the ball run across his body, turn and fire high into the 1874 net.

A few minutes before half time West’s goalkeeper Dean Williams dove to his left to stop a long range Neil Chappell shot, as he landed he aggravated a previous shoulder injury and after several minutes delay was replaced by substitute goalkeeper Hayden Buckley-Smith.

After a close first half where there was not much to choose between the two teams level on points in second and third in the table, it was quite a surprise that West posed little threat in the second half which was dominated by 1874. Apart from a shot which skimmed the bar, Greg Hall and his defenders dealt comfortably with every West attack in the second period.

Wellstead, McGowan and Bailey all went close to restoring 1874’s advantage, but the greens had to wait until the 80th minute to hit the front. Matt Russell combined with McGowan to set Sam Hind clear in the box; Hind calmly curled the ball out of Buckley-Smith’s reach.

Five minutes later Russell played the ball into the path of Hind, who lifted the ball over a defender and as the ball dropped unleashed a shot which the keeper could only parry allowing the flowing up McGowan to score from close range.

Bailey completed the scoring in the 88th minute prodding the ball home from close range amidst a goalmouth scramble following a Rick Bailey run and cross.

1874: Hall, Connor, Russell (James 88), Mitchell, M Woolley, Chappell, Wellstead (J Woolley 76), Jones, T Bailey, McGowan (R Bailey 86), Hind. Sub not used Thomas.

WEST: Williams (Buckley-Smith 42), Mason B Woods, Andrews, Rogers, Gavin, Steer, Shaw, A Woods, Kay (Socha 70), Poizer (Black 82). Subs not used Poole, Brockley.

GOALS: 1874 McGowan 29, 85 Hind 80, T Bailey 88 West A Woods 33

REFEREE David Croft ATTENDANCE 227

MAN OF THE MATCH SELECTED BY MATCH SPONSORS THE SUNDAY LUNCH CLUB

SCOTT McGOWAN