Northwich Victoria vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

THERE’S A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

By Garry Clarke

 NORTHWICH VICTORIA 3-2 1874 NORTHWICH       HSL PREMIER  19^TH JANUNARY 2019

 It had to happen one day; at the eighth attempt 1874 Northwich’s colours were finally lowered by Northwich Victoria.

The home side was deserved winners of the Northwich derby at Wincham Park against opponents shorn of several leading players. Their direct style of play caused 1874 problems throughout an open game which saw play switch from end to end.

Both teams pressed forward from the opening whistle, Vics sensed enjoying the beter of the opening exchange . Jack Lever blocked Darrhyl Mason’s shot following confusion in the 1874 defence before Rob Doran spun away from his marker prompting custodian James Coates to save smartly with his feet.

1874’s best chance fell to Mike Koral who saw his hot blocked by a Vics defender who threw his body in the way of the ball.

The deadlock was broken in the 25^th minute when Harvey Whyte floated a free kick into 1874’s penalty area, missed by Coates the ball found Andrew Fitzgerald who headed home despite a desperate attempt to clear the ball as it entered the net by Jack Pritchard.

Mason went close to adding second moments later but lifted his shot from close range over the bar.

1874 rallied and ended the first half in the ascendancy. Pritchard shot inches wide of the target from a corner before Vics goalkeeper Danny Tabener pulled off a good save to deny Taylor Kennerley from the edge of the area, and reacted quickly to stop Scott McGowan from netting the rebound.

Tabener was unable to prevent 1874 going into the half time break on level terms. Koral combined with James Ormrod to set up Sam Hare on the stroke of half time, receiving the ball from Koral Hare burst through the Vics rearguard and although Tabener got a hand on the ball as Hare’s shot flew past him into the net.

A few minutes into the second half Tabener came to his sides rescue saving from McGowan after Vics had struggled to clear a corner.

In the 50^th minute with 1874’s defence stretched, Vics broke down field, Whyte’s shot beat Coates but the covering Paul Connor cleared off the line.

Vics regained the lead in the 58^th minute when 1874 failed, again, to deal with a Whyte free kick allowing Doran to head home via the underside of the cross bar. Vics increased their advantage ix minutes later, Whyte was given the time and space in the 1874 penalty area to turn and shoot past Coates.

1874 halved the deficit in the 69^th minute when McGowan sent Tabener the wrong way from the penalty spot after Jack Fleming brought down Koral with a rash, needless, challenge.

Searching for an equaliser 1874 could not find a way through a well organised Vics defence who played out time to secure the win.

Vics  Taberner , Camozzi, Fitzgerald, Barski, Fleming, Whyte, Cooke, Clarke, Brownhill (Darr 87), Doran (Craig 90), Mason Subs not used Whittle, Kenny, Monson

1874  Coates, Connor, Lever, Pritchard, Lee Jackson, Ormrod (Waite-Jackson 65), Irlam, Koral, Hare, Kennerley, McGowan Subs not used Gardner, Johnstone, Phipps, Rigby

Goals Vics Fitzgerald 25, Doran 58, Whyte 64   1874 Hare 45, McGowan 69 (pen)

Referee Dale Baines                           Attendance 417