1874 Northwich vs Squires Gate

Recap

QUICK OFF THE MARK AS 1874 GO SECOND
BY GARRY CLARKE

1874 NORTHWICH 4-1 SQUIRES GATE HSL PREMIER
11TH FEBRUARY 2017

A goal within the first minute set 1874 Northwich on their way to victory at St Luke’s Barton Stadium. Beating Squires Gate 4-1, 1874 moved up to second in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division table just two points behind leaders Bootle.

Notching the fastest goal scored in 1874’s history, Tom Bailey opened the scoring after only 24 seconds of action, slotting home from close range after Joe Woolley had raced down the right wing and crossed into the penalty area.

Having recovered from going a goal behind so quickly, Squires Gate settled down and more than held their own in the first half causing the home side several problems.

Greg Hall prevented Ben Seear from leveling the scores ten minutes into the game with a spectacular flying save. Gate had the better of the play until 1874 struck again in the 29th minute with a goal which came after a slice of fortune.

Squires Gate were bringing the ball away from their penalty area when a pass struck referee Michael Crusham, the ball bounced into the path of Mark Jones, who played the ball forward to Jason Carey, who stepped inside a defender to smash home his first goal for 1874.

Jason Carey celebrates his scoring his first goal for the club.

In the 42nd minute, receiving an under hit back pass, Hall’s attempted clearance was blocked by a Gate attacker. The ball rebounded goalwards past Hall but a covering Craig Farnworth came to the rescue hooking the ball clear.

On the stroke of half time Gate were rewarded for their efforts. Clearing an 1874 corner they quickly moved the ball downfield to Dawson who from the edge of the 1874 area curled a shot past Hall.

1874 dominated the second half going on the attack straight from the kick off. In the opening minutes of the half Bailey had a shot saved by Gate keeper Joe Griffith’s feet and Ryan Mitchell had a header cleared of the line as desperate Gate defenders scrambled to keep their goal intact.

The visitors posed little threat in the second half, their first venture into 1874 territory on the hour mark was ended by a superb Paul Connor tackle which stopped Jacob Higham as he approached 1874’s goal. A minute later following good play by Bailey, Sam Hare drove a shot through a pack of players, Griffith did well to hold onto the shot as following up 1874 attackers looked to pounce on any fumble.

In the 69th minute, receiving a short corner from Woolley Hare crossed to Lee Jones, who just on the edge of the area volleyed on the turn as he was falling backwards to spectacularly score 1874’s third goal.

Griffith palmed a Bailey free kick over the bar, while Mark Jones fired inches over the bar before Bailey made it 4-1 converting from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute after being brought down by Griffith.

Griffith managed to punch an in swinging Tyler Edwards corner over the bar in the dying minutes, while Hall saved well to tip a Dawson shot around the post in the 90th minute.

1874 – Hall , Connor, Mitchell, Farnworth, Russell, L Jones, M Jones (M Woolley 81), Hare (Edwards 77), J Woolley, Bailey (McGowan 81), Carey Subs not used Waldron, Douglas
Gate- Griffith, Carroll, Rossall, Alexander, Bamba (Thornber 75), Seear (Haley 74), Penswick, Hall, Higham, Noblet, Dawson Sub not used Richards

Goals 1874 Bailey 1, 79 (penalty) Carey 29, L Jones 69. Gate Dawson 45

Referee Michael Crusham Attendance 209

Man of the match LEE JONES selected by match sponsors

                               THE 1874 CAR SHARE