Hednesford Town vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

74’ picked up their first points in the league since October with a 1-1 draw away in Staffordshire where new manager Damian Crossley picked the team for the first ever time.

74’ started fast out of the traps and took the lead in the 4th minute, Jamie Nicholson was played in down the left, he beat his man and drilled a low strike in to the bottom corner.

(Jamie Nicholson celebrates his goal – Pic: Ben Davies)

1874 were now in the mood and went for more.

Jamie Nicholson again down the left played a low cross towards the back post where Max Chimenes couldn’t get on the end of it at full stretch.

The hosts keeper was busy again as Lucas Weir curled a free kick towards goal and he was at full stretch to tip behind the effort.

A flowing move saw Lucas Weir arrive late in the box only to see his shot cleared off the line.

Matty Fenton went close next, he rose highest to head wide of the goal as the keeper was stranded.

Hednesford levelled on the 26th minute with their first attack of the game, left full back Jack Kelly thumped in an unstoppable effort from a tight angle as a deep cross found him unmarked.

74 pushed again to retake the lead, Nicholson danced around 3 defenders who had no answer for him only for their keeper to tip over his effort for a corner.

(Chris McCann searching for a way back into the lead – Pic: Ben Davies)

The second half brought about a much tighter affair.

Hednesford looked much brighter and especially through Jai Verma, the forward cut inside from the left and drove a thunderous effort off the 74 crossbar and the danger was cleared at second attempt.

1874 should have had their lead back through Lucas Weir. His free kick whipped in to the box went over Boucher and in to the back of the net. With no meaningful contact he went down and the referee gave a free kick and disallowed the goal with 74’ players confused.

The game now had a very end to end feel.

74’ were denied by a double save, Lucas Weir’s free kick was saved well then Matty Birchall who was introduced from the bench had a snapshot turned behind for a corner.

Ellis Allen saw red on the 87th minute as he was adjudged to have fouled Hednesford forward Callum Niven, referee James Lunn brandished the straight red card and captain Matthew Fenton stepped up to go in goal.

74 defended bravely and protected their goal as Hednesford pushed for a winner, with a low drive from the dangerous Verma hitting the post.

The points shared as Damian Crossleys era begins with a point on the road.