1874 Northwich vs Newcastle Town

Recap

1874 Northwich 1-1 Newcastle Town: Matt Woolley rescues a deserved point for ’74
By Jack Owen

Captain Matt Woolley stooped to power a header home in the 88th minute to earn a deserved point against Newcastle Town at Townfield.

Tommy Van Der Laan put the visitors ahead against the run of play with a powerful strike from 20 yards in the first half. For our own captain Woolley, it was a fitting way to celebrate his 300th game for the club. He grabbed his first of the season after a sustained period of pressure as 74 laid siege to the Newcastle goal.

’74 were forced into a change coming into the game with influential midfielder Jake Parker having to miss the game through illness. Jack Irlam returned to slot into a midfield which also featured Sam Hare who replaced James Ormrod. Markell Foulds made his competitive debut at the back alongside Mark Jones.

It was ’74 who started the brighter of the two. Moving the ball around and keeping possession allowed for the first opening of the game, Lee Knight tested the palms of Owen Mooney from outside the box which the keeper saved smartly.

Jack Irlam was next, guiding a header that looked to be dropping wide but Mooney took no chances and made a simple stop.

Tommy Van Der Laan was allowed the freedom of Townfield moments later, the midfielder drove towards the ’74 back line relatively unchallenged and thumped an effort into the bottom left corner, even with Aghayere at full stretch he had no chance. The visitors now had a lead to protect.

Before the half came to an end there was a huge chance for ’74, Mark Jones guided on a free kick from Sam Hare, Matt Woolley was at full stretch at the back post but couldn’t connect for the easy finish.

Jack Irlam was finding room further up the pitch in the second half, and his header from Lee Knights cross went wide of the goal.

Taylor Kennerley was giving the Newcastle fullback nightmares with his tireless performance on the wing, his cross was perfect and Lee Knight at the back post could only curl a shot over the bar.

Newcastle now dropped deeper looking to hold their lead.

’74 changed shape and introduced Callum Gardner from the bench, his impact was almost immediate as his driven cross from the right evaded both Woods and Irlam in the middle with the net at their mercy.

Kennerley again drove a cross into the 6 yard box only for James Askey to hammer away for a corner with Woods ready to pounce.

The goal finally arrived with two minutes left of the ninety – Matt Woolley met a delicious corner from Gardner with a diving header, which nestled into the bottom corner of the goal to the huge relief of the crowd.

With full momentum behind us, 74 nearly found a winner. Jack Irlam headed towards goal, however, the keeper was equal parrying away the effort which was then cleared.

James Ormrod picked up a late yellow card as the game ticked into the last seconds. He brought down Declan Arber as the visitors looked to counterattack.

The final whistle sounded, which brought the first point for ’74 in 4 games, a point that easily could have been all three on another day.

Newcastle Town – Mooney, Jarman, Fishman, Vale, Askey, Dennis, Arber (Lloyd), T Van Der Laan, Chimenes (Baxter), J Van Der Laan, Morley.
Subs not used: Grimshaw, Lal, Kurasik.