1874 Northwich vs Bacup Borough

Recap

1874 NORTHWICH 6-2 BACUP & ROSSENDALE BOROUGH NWCFL PREMIER 4TH APRIL 2015

Hat-trick hero Chris Lunn led the way as 1874 Northwich hit Bacup & Rossendale Borough for six at the Barton Stadium.

Although 1874 dominated the game they had to be wary of being caught out on the break by their opponents, especially in the first half when Dominic Marie had an early shot deflected wide and later drew a fine save from Matt Conkie.

Bacup goalkeeper Josh Harris dived at the feet of Mike Brandon in the 2nd minute to cut out a dangerous cross from Lunn, but could only watch 7 minutes later as Brandon headed a Ryan Stewart cross against the post. Harris was unable to prevent Matt Woolley from opening the scoring in the 11th minute; playing a one two with Lunn on the edge of the area Woolley surged into the Bacup area before shooting under Harris.

As 1874 got on top of their visitors Matty Ward ended two mazy runs through their defence by drawing good saves from Harris and also fired two shots over the bar before 1874 doubled their lead in the 32nd minute. Having seen his shot beaten away by Harris, Paul Connor collected the rebound and crossed the ball to the far post where it was headed into the danger area for Lunn to score from close range.

Bottom of the table and battling for their Premier Division survival, Bacup grabbed a lifeline in the 37th minute. Tom Hendley released Matt Bryan down the left wing; his cross was met by Mike Garvin who darted in between 1874 defenders to shoot past Conkie.

1874 restored their two goal advantage two minutes in the second half. Lunn and Brandon exchanged passes before Brandon lifted the ball over Bacup’s back four, Lunn ran through to reach the ball first and lifted it over Harris. As the ball entered the net, Bacup’s Davison Banda tried to hook it clear but could only help it into the roof of the net.

A few minutes later Brandon ran onto a through ball but shot over the bar, while on the hour mark Dilan Lomas charged up field and into the Bacup area only to see Harris catch his shot just under the bar. Lunn became the first 1874 player to score a league hat-trick when he converted from the penalty spot in the 66th minute after ward had been fouled by Banda.

Bacup captain Adrian Bellamy had a header from a corner cleared off the line by Connor before he pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 68th minute after referee Dominic McDonald spotted an infringement as a high ball was played into the 1874 area.

Cutting out a free kick on the edge of his own area, Bellamy under hit a back pass allowing Matt Beadle to nip in and touch the ball past Harris in the 76th minute. Eight minutes later Beadle scored his second, beating Bacup’s off side trap he slotted the ball past Harris.

Closing in on a hat-trick of his own, Beadle once again sprung Bacup’s off side trap racing onto a ball played in behind their defence by Lee Duckworth, as he round Harris the Bacup custodian brought him down. Instead of pointing to the spot McDonald award Bacup a fee kick and booked Beadle for diving.

Bacup, who had earlier had a goal disallowed when Marie was caught offside, were reduced to ten men in the 88th minute when Simon Thompson was dismissed for comments made to a linesman.

In the closing seconds, Bacup struggled to clear a corner beyond the edge of the area where it was met by Woolley whose powerfully struck drive was deflected wide as the referee blew his whistle to bring to an end a comfortable win which lifted 1874 Northwich back up into 3rd place in the table.

1874 – Conkie, Connor, Lomas, Bayley, Mitchell, Woolley, Stewart, Lunn (Pouncey 73mins), Brandon (Beadle 66mins), Ward, Ledwards (Duckworth 84mins). Subs not used Bowyer, Tulloch.

BACUP – Harris, Wager (Thompson 72mins), Bryan, Banda, Holt, Hendley, Robinson (Ashfaq 19mins), Birtles, Bellamy, Gervin, Marie. Subs not used Morgan, Rahman, Maine.

GOALS – 1874 Lunn 32,47,66 Beadle 76,84 Wooley 11 BACUP Gervin 37, Bellamy 68

REFEREE – Dominic McDonald ATTENDANCE 254

MAN OF THE MATCH SECLECTED BY MATCH SPONSOR ROBERT EDGELEY = Chris Lunn