1874 Northwich vs Barnoldswick Town

Recap

1874 NORTHWICH 3 V 0 BARNOLDSWICK TOWN

HSL PREMIER DIVISION – TUESDAY 20TH MARCH 2018

It may have been surprising to some supporters but when the 1874 line up was announced for this League game three days after a tough game at Thatcham and just four days from arguably 1874’s most important game of the season – nine players who started the game last Saturday were again included in the starting eleven whilst the other two were on the substitutes bench (along with two more players who were also on the Substitutes bench on Saturday).

But of course, as 1874 supporters appreciate, joint Managers Wayne Goodison and Paul Bowyer certainly know what they are doing and are impressive in how they go about things.

Visitors, Barnoldswick Town occupy a comfortable mid table position at present and had shown some good form coming into this game having won all three of their last three away games.

The opening exchanges were equal as both teams settled quickly and looked to attack as often as possible to such an extent that both keepers were reasonably busy throughout.

Easily the best chance of the first half came after 34 minutes when Fallon and Hind combined well to create an excellent chance for Jake Parker but somehow he managed to miss the target from 3 yards out when it looked easier to have hit the target.

Then in the 40th minute the visitors nearly opened the scoring but Greg hall came to his side’s rescue. HT 0-0

The second half started with play following a similar pattern to the first – 1874 on the offence with Barnoldswick happy to defend in numbers but ready to move the ball quickly forward to hopefully create some opportunities.

The first chance of a goal in the half fell to 1874 and after more good work by Hind the ball was played into the path of Ryan Jackson who looked certain to score but unfortunately he miss kicked the ball. A minute later and following a brilliant cross field ball by Matt Woolley to Ryan Jackson the first goal of the game should have arrived but Jackson’s shot was well saved but Jake Parker shot wide when well placed.

However, in the 54th minute the much-needed opener came and it did so after more good work by Woolley and Hind as they combined well to put the ball in the right position for Ryan Jackson to slot home

This was a game which really needed a second goal for 1874 to be sure of the points and in truth they were making plenty of chances but at the same time the visitors were also working hard to equalise but the home defence defended stoutly well-marshalled by Jack Pritchard

Top goalscorer – Scot McGowan – was his usual self – working hard for the team up front and he very nearly increased the lead just after the hour mark but shot was deflected for a corner and it was the same result two minutes later when Hind was again the provider but McGowan’s shot was saved.

In the 70th minute Barnoldswick had an excellent chance to level but once again the reliable Hall did the necessary to retain his side’s slender lead.

This may have been a defining moment in the game from both side’s points of view as after three more minutes of play the score line had become 3-0 to 1874!

In the 71st minute McGowan turned provider by working his magic on the right hand side before passing the ball invitingly for Kennerley to pass the ball into the net and then three minutes later the game really was all over as 1874 notched a third goal with Jackson scoring his second again from close range

Team: Hall; Connor; Mitchell; Pritchard; Lee Jackson; Fallon; Hind; Matt Woolley; McGowan; Parker & Ryan Jackson. Subs: Kennerley; Whitlock & Riley. Unused Subs: Meadowcroft & Jones

Attendance: 166