1874 Northwich vs Widnes Vikings

Recap

1874 started this cup tie at a fast pace taking the game to their opponents as Ward and Wellstead combined well to make two early chances but the visiting keeper – Jack Earle – was equal to the efforts on goal.

Widnes also tried to move the ball around swiftly and directly without actual creating any real chances in the first 15 minutes although they did have one worthy effort from a free kick awarded against 1874 when Conkie handled a back pass.

In reality the game turned when Widnes were reduced to ten men after one of their defenders was shown a red card after fouling Brandon who had latched on to a good through ball from Ward

1874 soon took the lead on 12 minutes when new signing Daley Woods collected the ball on the right flank and proceeded to beat two defenders on a mazy forward run before cutting back inside to fire a low shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Brandon made it 2-0 in the29th minute when he fired home the rebound after Wards initial shot rebounded to the Leagues’ leading scorer.

Just before half time it became 3-0 thanks to Ward who deservedly got on the score sheet shooting home from close range after excellent work by Bailey

After the interval 1874 continued to move the ball around seemingly effortlessly with, Ward, Jones, Wellstead and Woods pulling all the strings. To their credit the visitors tried their best to get back into the game but most of their attacks were easily dealt with by 1874 whose defence was excellently marshaled by Craig Farnworth.

Then on 59 minutes the game was really over as a contest when Brandon scored his second goal with a well directed header and then in the 70th minute Wellstead capped off a fine afternoon by scoring from a narrow angle.

So 1874 progressed into the quarter final and an away tie in February against Formby.

Matty Ward was deservedly chosen by the sponsors as man of the match but manager Ian Street must have been very satisfied with the overall team performance