City of Liverpool vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

1874 Northwich got back to winning ways in the Pitching In NPL Division 1 West with a 1-0 win at City of Liverpool. This was no smash and grab raid from the ‘74, who ran out full value for their win despite the narrow scoreline.

The opening exchanges, in the wet, greasy conditions, were frantic as both sides looked to gain control of the game. ‘74 began to control the possession. Taylor Kennerley had the first proper chance of the game; his mazy run found space after beating his marker and he powered an effort which thumped against the post and out for a throw in.

Another flowing move saw Jack Irlam tee up Jake Parker, whose outside of the foot volley went over the bar. CoL had their first chance at this point when Djavan Pedro flashed a snapshot from a low cross wide of Aghayere’s goal.

Ash Woods, in from the start to replace the injured Paul Turner, then guided a header wide from the impressive Ethan Brough’s cross. The ‘74 press was now relentless, and when Jack Irlam stole in ahead of Ryan Gibson the Purp midfielder brought down our man for the first yellow card of the game.

Then came the opener, a corner routine found Joe Woolley on the edge, he took one touch to set himself and the next was to fire a great strike into the top corner. James Salkeld was denied on a counter-attack moments later, Nathan Burke lead the rapid break for the hosts and Salkeld was played in behind but Aghayere reacted brilliantly to parry the shot behind for a corner.

The hosts introduced Freddie Potter at halftime and the journeyman striker almost had an immediate impact, his left footed drive had to be tipped over acrobatically by Aghayere to keep the scores level.

The game was now becoming stretched with both sides looking to score the important next goal. Sam Hare was denied a certain goal scoring opportunity by Jack Hinnigan, the defender had to be at full stretch to knock the ball out of the path of Hare who waited to strike inside the area. Kennerley also tried his luck again, and, cutting in on his less favoured right foot, he rose a shot just over the CoL crossbar.  Ash Woods had another chance to bury the game, however he could only drag his effort wide after some great combination play between Gardner and Parker found space for the forward just inside the box.

Freddie Potter tried his luck from a tight angle moments later but only managed to clear the bar as the clock ticked down. George Hallsall also had a big chance for CoL, but some great covering by Mark Jones denied the winger a clear chance on goal. The resulting corner was swung in, and was met by Mark Jones not once but twice the ‘74 captain thumping a header out to safety.

As CoL pushed, the ‘74 back line stood firm, Markell Foulds first got between a cross and Potter lurking in the middle, then Matt Russell had to close down a shooting opportunity on the edge for Devine. Mark Jones then had to clear a long ball downfield, and referee Richard Abson blew his whistle for full time and a deserved win, much to the relief of the sizeable travelling support and the lads.

City of Liverpool – Roberts, Corrigan (Aley), Smith, Hughes, Hinnigan, Johnston, Burke, Gibson, Pedro (Potter), Hassall, Salkeld (Murphy).
Subs not used: Devine, Bahula.

Referee R Abson        Attendance 291