Nantwich Town vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

1874 EXIT SENIOR CUP
BY GARRY CLARKE

The gulf in status between the upper echelons of the Evostik League Premier Division and the Hallmark Security League was evident as Nantwich Town eased through to the semi-finals of the Cheshire Senior Cup.

Although comfortably beaten 1874 Northwich were not disgraced as they kept battling away until the final whistle against a very strong Nantwich outfit and despite conceding three goals defended resolutely throughout.

The highest ranked side 1874 has played in their short history, Nantwich moved the ball around the Weaver Stadium pitch quickly and accurately and when 1874 had the ball harassed their opponents not giving them chance to settle, who at times were guilty of giving the ball away too easily as the green shirts were quick to intercept passes.

The home side were in control from the kick off causing confusion in the 1874 area from a corner in the opening minutes, which 1874 eventually scrambled away to safety.

Sean Cooke and Ryan Brooke caused the 1874 rearguard problems throughout the first half, both firing shots from distance narrowly off target and both also drawing fine saves from Greg Hall.

The 1874 custodian was powerless to prevent Ben Harrison from opening the scoring in the 41st minute. The giant centre half lost his marker at a corner to head home unchallenged.

The lead was short lived as two minutes later Tyler Edwards struck the equaliser. A free kick was lofted into the Nantwich area, as the Dabbers tried to clear the ball it struck referee Darren Rogers, fell to Edwards who turned and fired through a pack of bodies and past keeper Dan Gyollai.

Any hopes of a change of fortune in the second half were extinguished after six minutes when good build up play between Brooke and Joe Mwasile set up Brooke to fire past Hall to restore the home side’s advantage.

Ten minutes Cooke drove a free kick into the 1874 penalty area, Harrison steered a glancing header out of Hall’s reach into the far corner of the net.

Continuing to work hard 1874 could not find any way back into the game and despite forcing a bit of pressure towards the end did not trouble Gyollai too much as Nantwich comfortably saw the game out and could have added to their tally but could not find another way past Hall.

NANTWICH TOWN: Dan Gyollai, Andy White(Troy Bourne, 63), Ibou Touray, Joel Stair, Ben Harrison, Sam Hall(c), Oscar Durnin(Nathan Cottrell, 51), Wayne Riley(Joe Howell, 59), Ryan Brooke, Joe Mwasile Unused subs: Krystian Burzynski, Danny Griggs

1874 NORTHWICH: Greg Hall, Paul Connor, Matt Russell, Ryan Mitchell, Craig Farnworth, Sam Hare, Joel Douglas (Taylor Kennerley 62), Matt Woolley(c), Scott McGowan, Tyler Edwards (Jason Carey 82), Joe Woolley Unused subs: Mark Jones, Thomas Bailey

Goalscorers: 1874 Edwards(43). Nantwich Harrison(41, 59), Brooke(51)

Attendance: 218 Referee Darren Rogers