Tividale vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

1874 Northwich looked to extend their perfect start to life in the Midland Football League with a trip south to Tividale.

With 12 players unavailable, the Greens had to reshape. Ash Wardle returned at leftback, Jacson Coppack replaced Jack McKean in midfield, Josh Oultram and Luis Davin were added to the attack.

’74 almost broke the deadlock early, but the Tividale ‘keeper cut out a low cross aimed at Luis Davin.

Tividale made their first attack in the 11th minute, but the shot was pushed wide at the near post by Mike Shorthouse.
The first half ended goalless, Tividale proving tough for the Greens to breakdown.

Tividale came out of the break the brighter. Mike Shorthouse was forced into making a great save only 3 minutes into the half.

Tividale continued to attack well and broke the deadlock in the 54th minute. Great play on the left side of the box to find the cross into a dangerous area. It fell to the feet of Ash Wardle, who mishit his clearance under pressure, and it ricocheted into his own goal.
It was a big wake up call for ’74, who were making a habit of going behind in games.

The 64th minute saw the introduction of an orthodox striker in Mark Reed, could he save the Greens’ perfect start to the league campaign?
Only 6 minutes after his introduction, he did just that: A long ball was sent into Liam Fitzpatrick who headed into the box and into the path of Mark Reed. The 43-year-old did what he did throughout his playing career and placed it into the far side netting to equalise!

’74 kept hunting for the goal that would put them ahead. Josh Goodwin was hungry to win the ball high inside the Tividale half. His tackle fell to Josh Oultram, who played it back to Josh Goodwin, down the right side of the Tividale box. Josh Goodwin crossed it low, as Liam Fitzpatrick got in-front of his marker to tap home.

It wasn’t over yet, as the Tividale shot-stopper went up for a corner. The corner was cleared easily and the Tividale defender was left to be hunted down by Josh Oultram: he blocked the attempted cross on halfway and the ball was sent high and into the Tividale half. Josh Oultram followed it and controlled the ball excellently. He drove down the right and towards goal. He laid it back to Mark Reed, who sent home his brace and Northwich’s third, to seal the three points.