Winsford United vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

1874 COME FROM A GOAL DOWN TO DEFEAT THEIR LANDLORDS

Having lost their earlier meeting on Boxing Day, 1874 were obviously keen to win the return fixture at the Barton Stadium and this they achieved thanks to a good all-round team display.

Rather surprisingly it was a warm and sunny afternoon that welcomed Winsford’s largest crowd of the season and the 523 were kept entertained for ninety pulsating minutes, through action, commitment and of course various “talking points”.

The hosts were certainly fired up for the game and started well with Hammond and Riley threatening the 1874 defence and Matt Conkie in goal was very much involved and the busier of the two goalkeepers in the opening half hour.

The in-form Chris Lunn did have an early chance for 1874 but after being well set up by Ryan Stewart; Lunn could only succeed in hitting the ball over the bar.

Soon after it was Paul Connor’s turn to provide a good opportunity for 1874 but his excellent cross from the right flank was headed over by Brandon.

Winsford took the lead in the 17th minute when a free kick from the right hand side was headed into the net by Kyle Riley who rose above the 1874 defenders. 1874 could certainly have no complaints about going behind and this goal served as a timely reminder that some serious had work was going to be the order of the day if they were going to collect the points.

Just after the half hour mark Lunn had two more quick chances to score but his first attempt was miss-hit whilst his second was wide of the target. Connor was next to have an effort after some excellent build-up play he shot straight at Conor O’Keefe in the home goal.

However, in the 40th minute O’Keefe was beaten by a goal from Matty Ward that he probably couldn’t attempt to save because of all the players in front of him. A long throw in by Adam Bayley produced a corner for 1874 and from the corner Brandon was able to shield the ball well before laying it off to Matty Ward who didn’t hesitate in striking the ball into the bottom corner.

Almost on the stroke of half-time 1874 took the lead and this was another well-struck volley – this time from the very much in form Michael Brandon who received a cross from Stewart on the left and quickly controlled the ball before allowing his trusty left foot to do the rest.

At the start of the second half it was clear that the next goal would be an important one and the excited crowd didn’t have to wait too long for it because in the 56th minute Ward found Dilan Lomas on the edge of the area and the full back met the ball sweetly with his left foot to guide the ball home into the far corner of the net to the delight of the large contingent of 1874 fans.

A few minutes later and 1874’s captain Matt Woolley created an excellent chance for Chris Lunn to increase the lead as in the opening half Lunn’s shot was off target.

Although the home side tried their best to get back into the game, in truth they didn’t really trouble Conkie apart from an instance when a Lomas misplaced ball found Sam Marshall, but the Winsford player shot tamely wide.

At the final whistle 1874 were deserved winners and will now look to continue with this form as they push towards the end of another extremely satisfying and successful season

Team: Conkie; Connor; Bayley; Lomas; Mitchell; Matt Woolley; Lunn; Ward; Chappell; Brandon and Stewart. Substitutes: Beadle replaced Lunn and Duckworth replaced Stewart. Subs not used Pouncey; Ledwards and Tulloch

Goal scorers: Ward 40; Brandon 45 and Lomas 56

Referee: Justin Hayes

Attendance 523