1874 Northwich vs Silsden

Recap

1874 GO NAP IN PREPARATION FOR FA VASE CAMPAIGN

1874 NORTHWICH FC  5   V   0  SILSDEN FC

In a match that was a collective triumph for the hosts, an individual moment was greeted with the biggest cheer.

Kyle Riley blasted a shot high into the net, and through a crowd of bodies, after Callum Gardner nudged the ball into his path from a free-kick. It was 1874 Northwich’s fifth goal of the game, and the striker’s first of the season. In microcosm, it summed up the afternoon for both teams.
Silsden, sloppy and second-best, had infringed when goalkeeper Sam Lee picked up a back-pass from Craig Bentham.

Riley’s finish was emphatic, and neatly encapsulated an encouraging display by his side ahead of their return to the FA Vase and a tricky trip to Newcastle Benfield next weekend.

They probably didn’t expect to beat last year’s Division One champions so easily, although the tone was set by how they started after Taylor Kennerley connected with Callum Gardner’s cross from the right with a crisp volley to put them in front in the sixth minute.

Taylor Kennerley connected with Callum Gardner’s cross from the right with a crisp volley to put them in front in the sixth minute.

And a second would have followed had Lee not reacted smartly to save low to his left when Gardner swept Scott McGowan’s centre towards goal shortly afterwards. Silsden were lucky not to concede a penalty when Mark Everingham handled Kennerley’s cross, but there was little respite.

However the score didn’t reflect the home team’s dominance until four minutes before the break when referee Adam Brown did point to the spot after Gardner was tripped by Josh Kaine.

Lee blocked McGowan’s penalty, but the striker reacted sharply to hammer the loose ball into the net.

The pattern didn’t change after the interval, and the outcome was arguably settled from the moment Matthew Woolley was left unmarked to nod in Kennerley’s free-kick from close-range. Silsden did respond, at least initially, when Richard Ainscough prompted custodian James Coates into action when he met Will Storrie’s cross.

However Ainscough was conspicuous for the wrong reasons at the other end when he wrestled Jack Irlam to the floor at a set-piece to concede another spot-kick.

McGowan was more accurate second time around, making it 4-0. Riley struck next, and with force, after the visitors erred again.
Management duo Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison made the most of an opportunity to have a look at both Sam Hare and Lucas Weir, while giving McGowan a breather, with maximum points secured.

Silsden’s best attempt followed on 77 minutes when Reece Kendall attacked from left-back and fired low from distance.

A bounce in front of Coates made for an awkward save, but one that kept his sheet clean.

Lee fumbled Irlam’s free-kick with time running out and looked relieved when an 1874 attacker didn’t punish him. At 5-0, the damage was already done.

It is 1874’s biggest victory in the North West Counties League since they beat Maine Road by the same score last December. Match report by Andrew Simpson