Northwich Victoria vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

WHITLOCK UNLOCKS VICS DEFENCE SETTING 74 ON WAY TO VICTORY
BY GARRY CLARKE

NORTHWICH VICTORIA 0-2 1874 NORTHWICH HSL PREMIER 30TH JANUARY 2018

Climbing five places up the table after winning the Northwich derby 2-0 at Townfield 1874 Northwich moved into the top half on the Hallmark Security League Premier Division.

As the dominant team 1874 deservedly picked up the three points on offer in an entertaining game but were made to work hard by determined opponents whose direct style was more suited to the heavy pitch, which soon cut up in patches, than 1874’s usual passing style.

1874 started like a house on fire, with a number of crosses flashing across the face of Vics goal in the opening minutes without anyone being able to apply a finishing touch. Ryan Jackson and Adam Whitlock both had shots saved by Vics goalkeeper Mike Donlan, who also saw a colleague clear off the line from Whitlock in the opening salvo.

In the 10th minute Sam Hind played the ball over the top of Vics defence, Scott McGowan won the race to the ball lifting it over Donlan but could not direct it goal wards as a covering defender cleared.

Whitlock unlocked Vics defence in the 13th minute, a Paul Connor ball into the Vics area ricocheted around the area, falling to an unmarked Whitlock who powerfully fired past a helpless Donlan.

1874 were almost gifted a second goal four minutes later. Donlan expecting a bounce which never came took an air swing at a back pass as the ball rolled under his foot, desperately scrambling back to goal he managed to claw the ball away inches from the line.

As the first half progressed Vics cam more into the game although they did not cause any serious scares until the 40th minute when Joe Whittington unleashed a shot from distance. Flying through the air Greg Hall palmed the ball away; quickly regaining his feet 1874’s custodian smothered the follow up attempt from Jason Hart.

The home side started the second half with a renewed vigor and dominated the opening minutes of the half with Hart firing just over the bar and Hall producing another top class save to beat away a long range Oscar Durnin shot as 1874’s defence held firm in the wake of increasing pressure.

A miss placed clearance by Donlan gave 1874 an opportunity to double their advantage but Lee Jackson’s shot from out on the left flank ended up in the side netting. Moments later Whitlock also found the side netting after good work by Hind and McGowan set him up.

McGowan had the ball in Vics net in the 68th minute but his effort was ruled out for offside, but he was not to be denied his 23rd goal of the season five minutes later.

Jake Parker swung a cross from the left wing into Vics penalty area which was met on the far side by an unmarked Whitlock whose header was parried by Donlan. The ball fell to the feet of McGowan, five yards out facing an open goal, 1874’s leading scorer made no mistake.

McGowan went close to adding to his tally in the final ten minutes, twice he narrowly missed the target and was also denied by a good save from Donlan at point blank range.

In the closing minutes, Hall saved well to cut out a dangerous low cross from Brandon Barski and Kazim Waite-Jackson fizzed a free kick inches over Vics bar as 1874 Northwich extended their winning league run to eight games.

VICS: Donlan, Aspin, Barski, Adam Weston, Allen Weston, Shinks (Kenny 71), Clarke, Durnin, Matthews (Walker 48), Hart (Gorman 79), Whittington. Subs not used Bennett, Grant.

1874: Hall, Connor, Woods (L Jackson ht), Thomas, Mitchell, Hind, Whitlock (Waite-Jackson 79), M Woolley, McGowan, Parker, R Jackson (M Jones 57). Subs not used Meadowroft, Lever.

ATTENDANCE 262 REFEREE D Hitchell