Nelson vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

NELSON 1-4 1874 NORTHWICH NWCFL PREMIER 25TH APRIL 2015

Having lost twice in their debut season and drawn at home earlier this season 1874 were successful, at the 4th time of asking, in lowering Nelson’s colours winning comfortably at Little Wembley.
With 3rd place in the NWCFL Premier Division already assured, 1874 almost took the lead in the 5th minute when Chris Lunn capitalised on a mistake by Nelson’s George Melling, however having chipped goalkeeper Ben Woodhead from outside the area his shot hit the top of the bar.
In an open end of season game 1874 took the lead in the 23rd minute. A long ball found Ryan Stewart unmarked in the Nelson area, Woodhead managed to beat away his shot but Stewart reacted quickly to cross the ball into the path of Lunn who turned the ball home from close range.
After a slow start the home side started to come more into the game as Ben Hoskins sent a tame shot into the hands of Matt Conkie and Jonty Maullin fired a shot wide of the target after a quickly taken free kick.
1874 always held the upper hand with Adam Bayley firing a shot across Nelson’s goal, Stewart sending a cross/shot inches over the bar and Matty Ward forcing the ball past Woodhead only to see a defender clear.
1874 doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time. A left to right diagonal cross field pass was steered into the box by Bayley where Mike Brandon lofted the ball over the advancing Woodhead into the net.
Nelson started the first half on the attack with Conkie reacting smartly to cut out a dangerous low cross at the feet of an oncoming attacker.
1874 quickly regained control of the game. Woodhead saved well to deny Ward and Bayley before Lunn scored his second in the 69th minute. Latching onto a through ball he outpaced Nelson’s rearguard, rounded Woodhead and smashed the ball into the empty net from close range.
Five minutes later substitute Matt Beadle grabbed 1874’d fourth goal moments after leaving the bench to replace Brandon. Picking up a stray pass from Nelson captain Peter Wright he raced away from the blue shirted defenders, his initial shot was blocked by Woodhead who was unable to prevent 1874’s leading goal scorer from netting the rebound for his 27th goal of the season.
1874 created several more half chances in the closing minutes of an entertaining last game of the season with Lunn twice going close to completing his hat-trick twice shooting narrowly wide of the target.
Moments after scuffing a shot wide of 1874’s goal Paul Fildes scored a 89th minute consolation goal for the Admirals firing home a long range shot.
NELSON – Woodhead, Malone, Mason, Hoskin, Melling (E.O’Neill 25mins), Lloyd, Maullin (Smallridge 74mins), M.O’Neill, Wright, J.O’Neill, Nuttall (Fildes 58mins). Sub not used Walne.
1874 – Conkie, Bayley (Connor 80 mins), Duckworth, Mitchell, Thomas, Chappell, Woolley, Lunn, Brandon Beadle 73 mins), Ward, Stewart (Ledwards 80mins). Sub not used Bowyer.
GOALS – Nelson – Fildes 89. 1874 – Lunn 23,69 Brandon 45, Beadle 74.
REFEREE M.Powell ATTENDANCE 145