Boxing Day brings one of the standout fixtures of the season as 1874 Northwich make the short journey — via Runcorn, to face league leaders Northwich Victoria. With 1st meeting 2nd, Friday’s fixture could set the tone for the second half of the Midlands League campaign, and Herbert has challenged his players to rise to the occasion.
Saturday’s victory extended 1874’s unbeaten run and lifted them into second place. It was a performance that showed how far the squad has come. Herbert noted the team is “made of sterner stuff this season” and heads into Boxing Day in strong form.
Attention now turns to the Boxing Day derby — a fixture that always carries weight, but this year arrives with added significance. The ‘74 boss has tipped Northwich Victoria will go into the game as favourites and spoke about the challenge of being “big underdogs”.
Herbert commented: “Derby games are always great to have, especially one as big as this, it’s 1st v 2nd and both teams are representing Northwich. The pitch is superb (at Runcorn Linnets) and both teams will try and play. It will be a very good game between two very good teams.”
Both Chris and his assistant Steve Burr were in attendance on Monday night as Vics drew 2–2 at Abbey Hulton, and the ‘74 boss believes that keeping disciplined will be key in determining the outcome of the game on Friday.
“We can not get caught up in any mind games on the pitch. We saw it on Monday night at Abbey Hulton that they do get around the ref every chance they get, so hopefully the ref stays strong. It’s two physical sides and we need a strong ref who knows the game in this one. It’s huge that we keep 11 players on the pitch, anyone who lets us down on that will be hit hard in the pocket.”
Friday’s derby game in Runcorn gives 1874 a chance to further close the gap at the top. After opposition supporters were quick to dismiss 1874’s chances earlier in the season, the squad has quietly gone about its work and now sits in a strong position. A win on Boxing Day would open the title race right up. Northwich Victoria have drawn their last two and fallen behind in both, and Herbert believes December is the month where “the league sorts itself out and the cream rises to the top.”
“I am happy for us to be talked about, I think it was more in hope that we were written off, but it doesn’t need me to tell you, that the season doesn’t finish in November, we have quietly got on with our jobs and are now in a good position.”
“If we win on Saturday then it opens it right up for the rest of the top sides. Vics have stuttered lately and will be desperate to get the win against us. If they were to be beat by us, it would be interesting to see how that would shape the remainder of the league campaign.”
Finally, Herbert had a clear message for the supporters. He called on the 1874 faithful to travel in numbers, make themselves heard, and provide the 12th‑man backing that can make the difference on days like this. “These are the games everyone wants to be part of,” he said. “Let’s not let it pass us by.”