1874 Northwich vs Winsford United

Recap

DERBY DAY DEFEAT BY Garry Clarke

1874 NORTHWICH 0-4 WINSFORD UNITED HSL PREMIER 26TH DECEMBER 2016

Having won their previous four HSL Premier Division games 1874 Northwich crashed to their 4th league defeat of the season losing 4-0 at home to landlords Winsford United.

After two impressive displays against Runcorn Town and AFC Liverpool in the previous week, a St Luke’s Barton Stadium crowd of 463 witnessed a disappointing lackluster performance from the team in green against a Winsford United team which belied their lowly league status and fully deserved their victory.

Winsford hit the 1874 post from a corner in the 5th minute while Greg Hall was forced to block a Nathan Cotterell shot with his legs, Hall’s opposite number Andrew Jones denied Tyler Edwards with a similar save.

Winsford broke the deadlock in the 17th minute Kyle Riley scoring as 1874 struggled to clear a corner.

1874 enjoyed the greater share of first half ball as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser. However, all too often passes and crosses were under hit, over hot or intercepted by hard working defenders, while when the ball reached a colleague shots were off target.

It was somewhat against the run of play that Winsford doubled their advantage in the 31st minute. Cotterell picked up the ball in the centre circle ran unchallenged to the edge of the 1874 area, checked back and shot low past Hall.

Scott McGowan drew a fine save from Jones with a shot on the turn from 20 yards out, Sam Hare fired over the bar from a free kick while Edwards headed wide from close range in the 45th minute with the goal at his mercy.

Cotterell started the second half by shooting inches over the 1874 bar before the home side regained the upper hand. For all their efforts they failed to provide too many problems for Jones, who was well protected by his team mates.

Tom Bailey caused confusion in the Winsford ranks with a cross into the six yard box which they struggled to clear. 1874’s top scorer was later denied by Daniel Kerr who cleared off the line after Bailey had propelled the ball past Jones.

Former 1874 player Jordan Johnson raced onto a ball played over a static 1874 rearguard to lob the ball over the advancing Hall in the 63rd minute for the visitors 3rd goal.

Ten minutes later Dale Jennings raced down the left wing, cut inside, saw his shot blocked by Hall but followed up to bundle the ball into the net for Winsford’s 4th.

Two minutes later Winsford went close to scoring a 5th as a free kick was floated into the 1874 area, Riley’s first attempt was blocked by Hall while his follow up was cleared off the line by Mark Jones.

Winsford’s custodian tipped a Bailey free kick over the bar for a corner which 1874’s Jones headed against the post.

In the final minutes of a game which 1874 would rather forget Cottrell fired a shot into the side netting.

1874 – Hall, Mitchell, Westall (Jack Woolley 63), M Woolley, M Jones, Hare, Hind, Waldron, Bailey, McGowan, Edwards (Whitlock 78). Subs not used Lowe, Tulloch.

WINSFORD – Jones, Henson, Clarke, Rothwell, Foster, Kerr, Cotterell, Jennings, Riley, Johnson (Egan 83), Moores (Brazel 63). Subs not used Perry, Collins, Taylor.

GOALS – Winsford Riley 17, Cotterell 31, Johnson 63, Jennings 73

ATTENDANCE 463 REFEREE Ian Hurdle