1874 Northwich vs Runcorn Town

Recap

PARKER CHAUFFEURS 1874 TO VICTORY
BY GARRY CLARKE

1874 NORTHWICH 2-1 RUNCORN TOWN HSL PREMIER

17TH FEBRUARY 2018

1874 Northwich have developed a knack of scoring late goals this season, and it took an 88th minute winner to defeat Runcorn Town in an at time scrappy, disjointed game.

Arriving at Witton Albion’s Wincham Park ground 4th in the Hallmark Security League table, Runcorn Town were forced onto the back foot straight from the kick off as 1874 went in search of an early goal.

Goalkeeper Adam Reid was forced to turn a Shelton Payne cross behind in the 2nd minute. Struggling to clear the resulting corner Runcorn allowed Scott McGowan time and pace in the area to shoot, Reid reacted well to save.

On debut, having signed in midweek from Atherton Collieries, Reid was unable to prevent McGowan from opening the scoring in the 7th minute. 1874’s leading scorer ran onto a Payne pass, skipped round Reid to fire into an empty net for his 24th goal of the season.

The visitors started to find their feet and subjected the 1874 rearguard to a sustained period of pressure before Kazim Waite-Jackson fired a shot narrowly wide of the target after good play to set him up by debutant and man of the match Sam Freakes.

Run corn drew level in the 30th minute. While trying to dribble the ball away from goal, Greg Hall was tackled by Simon Thelwall, recovering quickly 1874’s custodian managed to force the ball out for a corner. Flicked on at the near post, the ball arrived at the far post where the unmarked Thelwall had the simple task of heading home from close range.

Two minutes later Thewall’s surging run into the heart of the 1874 defence was halted by a foul on the edge of the area. Thelwall struck the dead ball round the defensive wall but was denied a second goal by a flying one handed save by Hall who palmed the ball away to safety.

Ten minutes into the second half racing onto a through ball Thelwall unleashed a first time volley which Hall did well to tip wide. 1874 struggled to clear the resulting corner which eventually fell to Runcorn’s Marcus James. His shot was diverted, amidst Runcorn appeal for hand ball, for another corner by a desperate 1874 defender who threw his body in the line of fire.

1874 were reduced to ten men in the 76th minute when Lee Jackson was red carded having received two yellows in a ten minute spell.

With time running out and a draw looking likely, 1874 struck to maintain their 100%record against Runcorn Town. Adam Whitlock delivered a corner from the left which was met at the near post by Jake Parker who steered his header into the net to secure all three points for 1874.

1874- Hall, Connor, L Jackson, Pritchard, Mitchell, M Jones, Whitlock, Freakes (Parker 75), McGowan, Waite-Jackson (M Woolley ht), Payne (R Jackson 69). Subs not used Riley, Lever.

RUNCORN – Reid, Turner, Evans, James, Dowling, McManus (Wilson-Jones 90), Holt, Exell (Roxburgh 79), Thelwall, Read (Cairns 73), Hassall. Subs not used Jarrett, Maguire.

GOALS 1874 – McGowan 7, Parker 88 Runcorn Thelwall 30

ATTENDANCE 290 REFEREE M Corlett