Irlam vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

MAC THE KNIFE CUTS OPEN IRLAM
BY GARRY CLARKE

IRLAM 0-3 1874 NORTHWICH HSL PREMIER 7TH APRIL 2018

Three second half goal clinched maximum points at Irlam as 1874 Northwich ticked another game off their backlog, only 16 more Hallmark Security League games to go now.

1874 maintained their unbeaten record at Silver Street gaining revenge for the 2-1 defeat inflicted on them ten days ago by their opponents with a thoroughly professional performance against one of the league’s in form teams.

The home side worked hard to frustrate their visitors, blocking the channels preventing 1874 from advancing forcing them to play square or backwards to retain possession. 1874’s patience was rewarded in the second half as Irlam tired and gaps started to appear in their defence.

Despite 1874 enjoying the greater share of the ball in the opening stages it was the hosts, who were content to sit back pick up loose balls and counter attack which looked the more dangerous.

Jordan Iceley’s shot from distance was comfortably held by 1874 goalkeeper Greg Hall in the 15th minute, while five minutes later Hall pulled off a good save to keep out a Connor Martin shot, while the Irlam man pulled a further shot wide of the target a few minutes later.

As the first half progressed 1874 started to make inroads into the Irlam ranks with Sam Freakes at the centre of the action. In the 25th minute he floated a corner towards the far post where Matt Woolley headed over.

A few minutes later he raced onto a Jack Pritchard pass which cut open the defence for his cross to be defused by a combination of Irlam defender Joel Amado and goalkeeper Lee White, another dangerous Freakes cross was cut out by Irlam’s Liam Morrison.

In the closing stages of the first half White did well to keep out a long range shot from Freakes, who also saw the Irlam custodian dive full length to turn a free kick around the post, and on the stroke of half time Scott McGowan curled a free kick inches over the bar.

1874 dominated the second half as Irlam started to fade although they never gave up they posed little threat to the 1874 goal.

McGowan broke the deadlock with his 30th goal of the season striking in the 51st minute. Mark Jones threaded the ball through the Irlam defence to McGowan, whose first attempt was blocked by White. Reacting first, McGowan kept his composure, collected the rebound and slotted the ball into the net.

Two minutes later, McGowan struck again delightfully chipping the ball over White from 30 yards out.
Freakes completed the scoring with his first goal in Northwich colours in the 74th minute. Matt Woolley drilled a low angled free kick across the face of goal; Freakes arrived at the far post with the simple task of knocking the ball into the net from close range.

IRLAM ; White, Harewood (Bolton 58), Amado, Morrison (Meredith 71), Braithwaite, Mills, Perry, Boland (Illedge 62), Foulds, Martin, Iceley. Sub not used Doyle.

1874: Hall, Connor, Russell (Payne 76), Pritchard, Mitchell, M Jones, Hind, M Woolley (Jack Woolley 82), McGowan (Riley 71), Freakes, Woods. Subs not used Lever, Waite-Jackson.

GOALS- McGowan 51, 53 Freakes 74

REFEREE Mike Ainsworth ATTENDANCE 91