Northwich Flixton Villa vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

Northwich Flixton Villa 0-1 1874 Northwich

Wednesday 16th October 2013

The teams take to the pitch – Image: Matt Draycott

Winning 1-0 at Northwich Flixton Villa, 1874 Northwich maintained their unbeaten away record in the NWCFL and climbed to the top of the first division table.
Watched by the biggest Valley Road crowd (196) of the season, the clash of the two “Northwich” sides was a lively affair. Although there was not too much goalmouth action in the opening half hour, with both sides being restricted to mainly shooting from outside the area, both goalkeepers were kept busy.

The decisive moments came in the 35th minute when top scorer Mike Brandon rose highest in a packed penalty area to head home the game’s only goal as he powerfully met a cross whipped in from wide on the right by Ryan Mitchell.

1874 almost double their lead six minutes later when Ryan Stewart floated a free kick into the Villa area, but Lee Jones’ flicked header drifted agonisingly wide on the target. The home side came close to levelling the score in the closing moments of the first half, when Shaun Williams’ long range free kick only just cleared the bar.

Villa had the better of the early exchanges after the break forcing several corners in the opening twenty minutes. 1874 goalkeeper Matt Conkie had to be alert to pull off a fine save at close range from a Martin Gordon header.

As the second half progressed 1874 started to gain the upper hand subjecting the Villa rearguard to almost constant pressure as the visitors went in search of a second goal. Jones, Tom Peers, Adam Foy and Stuart Wellstead all went close to scoring, while Villa managed to clear off the line during a goalmouth scramble following an in swinging Wellstead corner.

While their team pushed forward the 1874 defence had to be on the guard as the home side, while soaking up the 1874 pressure, were always dangerous on the break. Villa fired several long range shots on the 1874 goal, and some from closer to the target as they searched for the equaliser. However, they were constantly thwarted by the confident handling of Conkie who kept them at bay.

1874 could have put the game beyond doubt ten minutes before the end. Surging through the Villa rearguard, Dean McGregor was brought down inside the penalty area. McGregor then saw his spot kick saved by Villa goalkeeper Jordan Andrews.
The three points gained lifted 1874 Northwich to the top of the league table for the first time in their short history one point ahead of Atherton Collieries and Hanley Town.

1874 – Conkie, Mitchell, Duckworth, Farnworth, Thomas, Foy, Peers, Jones, Brandon (McGregor 75 mins), Stewart, Wellstead. Subs not used Bailey, McKay, Bowyer.
Goal – Brandon 35mins.

NORTHWICH FLIXTON VILLA – Andrews, Gray, A.Ali, M.Ali, Evans, Gordon, Owens, Williams, Amiss(Wright), Sheego (Richards), Greenwood. Subs not used Monk, Clarke, Rushe.

ATTENDANCE 196.