Newcastle Town vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

1874 suffered a defeat in our season opener away at Newcastle Town in front of a healthy midweek crowd of 232 at the GRG Stadium.

Newcastle Town, managed by the evergreen figure of Neil Baker are tipped to have a great season by many, picking up some under the radar signings in the summer.

Oliver Ritchie had the first chance of the contest after evading the tackle of Niall Osborne, his shot however slid wide of the post.

A barrage of set pieces attacked our box. A long throw of Drew Lowe was as good as a corner for the hosts, and one of them lead to the first shot on goal. Former Green Joel Jones guided a header on target, but Beddow read and held comfortably.

1874 settled and began to put attacks together themselves.

Lynn, looking lively, was inches away from getting on the end of a Mark Jones’ flicked header on into the six-yard box and then John McGrath’s cut inside and shot was blocked by the impressive Tom Thorley at the heart of the Castle’ defence.

The game continued to be end-to-end, open and exciting. But it was the hosts who were creating the better chances. Max Beddow again was called upon, and he made a great save low down to his right to deny a stinging effort from Luca Whitney.

Beddow again denied Castle. His reflexes allowed him to save brilliantly at his near post to stop Ritchie from a half volley at the back post.

Niall Osborne was following suit of his inspired goalkeeper, clearing off the line to deny Joel Jones a goal against his former club.

1874 had to push higher up and respond. They did.

Blake Robinson nodded wide from a Niall Osborne cross and then Elliott Coleman went on a strong run down the left wing, his low cross found the feet of Spinelli who tried to swivel and shoot at goal but was smothered by Lewis Brown.

With 1874 pushed higher up the pitch on the attack, Castle’ broke. A wayward pass into the middle of the field surrendered possession. An excellent through ball played by Cameron Doorish found Luca Whitney in behind Tom Mitchell and our backline. His finish was perfect into the top right corner of the goal over Max Beddow.

John McGrath tried to pull us back level moments later, his powerful strike after cutting inside his marker Sean Lawton was unfortunately for us straight at the hosts goalkeeper Jack Sheward.

The last kick of the half saw the best chance of it for 1874. Mwaliteta beat his marker and found himself with a shooting opportunity inside the 18-yard box. Shoot he did. A block on the line denied him and ’74 an equaliser. The rebound off the defender hit Blake Robinson around 4 yards from goal and the ball somehow found its way into the gloves of Sheward.

The second half brought instant pressure on our goal. But Max Beddow stood firm.

He produced two incredible stops, minutes apart. He first denied a low strong drive from Ritchie just inside the penalty area. Then Doorish let fly a sweetly hit half-volley but Max at full stretch somehow clawed the ball over his crossbar. Some introduction for the young stopper to life at Step 4.

The game was at a frantic pace.

1874 had the next best chance 15 minutes before the end. Kenny Mwaliteta had the ball land at his feet after floating over the head of Roman Allen, he turned his markers desperate attempt to block what he thought would be an instant shot. His right footed effort somehow slid wide of the goal from around 8 yards out. A huge chance spurned.

Pressure built by 1874 on the Newcastle Town defence. But it stood firm. A flurry of long throws, crosses and long-range strikes couldn’t harm the host’s lead.

Max Beddow was called in to action one final time in injury time. His smart low stop denied Ritchie a goal.

As the ball was attempted to be flung back into the Newcastle half the referee sounded his full-time whistle and unfortunately it was defeat for 1874 on their first game back at Step 4 since 2024.

1874 will be looking to register their first points of the season when they host Chasetown at Townfield on Saturday 15^th August.