Oldham Borough vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

With a draw in the opening league game of the season and a victory in the FA Vase, Oldham Boro were in the eyes of many fast becoming 1874’s bogey team. For 85 minutes of this entertaining encounter there was a danger that the Oldham hoodoo would be extended into a third game.

1874 could have been three goals up in the first ten minutes as both Mike Brandon and Tom peers both narrowly missed the target, while Rick Bailey had a shot well saved by Oldham goalkeeper Tom Elford.

The home side started to get into the game as the first half progressed with Nathan Adams first drawing a fine save from Matt Conkie and then shooting just wide. Steve Bancroft saw a long range shot just clear the 1874 crossbar and lee Duckworth was forced to head off the line to repel another Oldham attack.

1874 continued to create chances with Stuart Wellstead shooting into the side netting and Peers going close as the first half remained goalless. The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with 1874 on the attack but unable to find the net.

Bailey set up Peers whose shot was deflected behind for a corner, which was headed inches wide by Brandon. Matty Ward then set up Peers who fired over from ten yards. A Ward run down the right wing and cross to the far post was met by Wellstead whose looping header cleared the Oldham keeper but was cleared off the line by a defender.

Oldham had the ball in the 1874 net in the 71st minute but their joy was short lived as the goal was disallowed after the linesman raised his flag to indicate an infringement before the ball entered the net.

Several more chances went begging as it started to look more and more likely that the Oldham hoodoo would strike again. Especially when 1874’s appeals for a penalty, after Wellstead had been brought down by the Oldham goalkeeper, were turned down as he had already been flagged offside.

As the game was entering its final stages a poor clearance by Elford was returned into the Oldham box. Falling at the feet of the division’s top scorer Brandon, he steadied himself before slotting the ball past Elford for his 18th goal of the season.

1874 held firm in a tense finale to a game enjoyed by a crowd of 103 at Alder Street to take all three points and put to an end any talk of a hoodoo or bogey team.
1874 – Conkie, Mitchell, Stewart, Farnworth, Duckworth, Jones, Peers, Bailey, Brandon, Ward, Wellstead. Subs not used Crane, McGregor, McKay, Bowyer.

GOAL – Brandon 85 mins

OLDHAM – Elford, S.Bancroft, Buxton, Keighley, Smith, Dainty, Knowles, L.Bancroft, Adams, Greenwood, DeCosta. Subs not used Carey, Murphy, Schultz, O’Connor, Flemming.

REFEREE – Paul Ince

ATTENDANCE – 103