1874 Northwich vs Barnoldswick Town

Recap

After the disappointment of their mid week game being abandoned due to floodlight problems, Ian Street’s men were keen to get back out on to the Barton Stadium pitch and continue their new campaign.

As Matt Woolley was unavailable due to holidays, Danny Thomas took up a position in midfield just in front of the back four and this proved to be a master stroke by the Manager as Thomas effectively broke up many of the opposition’s attacks as well as being able to start 1874’s many forays into the Barnoldswick half. As a result of his performance he earned the sponsors’ man of the Match Award at full time.

1874 were very quickly into their stride and in the opening five minutes they created no less than three chances. After just 2 minutes a quick one-two between Connor and Beadle provided the latter with an excellent opportunity but he snatched his shot and saw his effort clear the bar. Just two minutes later and this time it was Duckworth’s turn to create a chance as his cross from the by-line was met by Beadle but his effort was scrambled away.

Almost immediately chance number three arrived and this was clearly the best of the trio. The impressive Connor worked well with Brandon to create time for last season’s leading scorer to send over a perfect cross for his new strike partner but Beadle’s header was just wide of the target.

Then on the quarter hour mark the visitors almost took an unlikely lead when slack defensive work allowed Hoyle the time and space to shoot at goal but his effort rebounded from the foot of a post.

This proved to be a wakeup call for 1874 as they once again went on the lookout for an opening goal. Brandon saw a good effort deflected for a corner whilst good work from Connor on the left ended with his right foot shot rebounding from the cross bar.

On the half hour mark a good run by Beadle ended with him putting in an excellent cross to Brandon who once again was just narrowly off target and then moments later Matty Ward, who was getting more and more into the game and showing all of his skills, picked out Bailey with a peach of a pass but the final shot once again sailed over the bar.

A goal just had to come and sure enough after 32 minutes it did. Ryan Mitchell went on one of his famous forages up field only to be fouled 30 yards from goal. It seemed inevitable, as Brandon stood by the ball that, he would go for goal and he did in style as his left foot strike sailed into the top corner to give his side a most deserved lead.

On the stroke of half time Connor and Beadle again combined well but once again Beadle’s effort was marginally off target.

Two minutes after the restart and the second goal arrived. Thomas and Connor worked well on the left flank to enable the former to expertly pick out Beadle beyond the far post and having escaped from his marker he volleyed the ball home from 8 yards giving the keeper no chance.

A few minutes later and Conkie was forced to make a good save low down to his left but then in the 54th minute a most uncharacteristic error from him allowed the visitors back into the game. A poor free kick from Broderick slipped through the usually safe hands of Conkie and the score at 2-1 meant that Barnoldswick had something to play for again.

However, 1874 were quickly on the ascendency again and chances were created for Beadle, Brandon and Ward but a combination of poor finishing, good goalkeeping and yet again the woodwork prevented the much-needed third goal.

However, the goal did arrive on 62 minutes and it was Brandon’s trusty left foot that once again produced the dividends as he quickly controlled the ball, turned and hit the ball into the bottom corner of the net much to the delight of the near 300 faithful 1874 supporters.

This goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Barnoldswick but try as they did 1874 couldn’t add to their tally despite the best efforts of Ward and Short who were both keen to get on the score sheet.

Team: Conkie; Mitchell; Farnworth; Aston; Duckworth; Connor; Thomas; Ward; Bailey; Brandon and Beadle. Subs used: Short; Hurst and Crofts

Attendance 287