1874 Northwich vs Skelmersdale United

Recap

1874 1-0 Skelmersdale: Hosts into top three after win

1874 Northwich moved back into the Premier Division promotion spots after beating Skelmersdale United 1-0 at Townfield Lane, with Jake Parker’s first half goal the difference on the day.

1874 were on the front foot from the first whistle, as they managed to find relative success from crosses into the Skelmersdale box on numerous occasions.

Midfielder Nathan Okome latched on to a short corner crossed in by Jake Parker, his header just skimming the right-hand post.

The visitor’s looked to get a foothold in the match, but when they had the opportunity to get forward, 1874 cut out the attack’s well, with centre-back Mark Jones in the thick of the interceptions.

With 20 minutes remaining in the half, 1874 were given a freekick on the edge of the Skelmersdale box after winger Taylor Kennerley was fouled. Captain Matthew Wooley stepped up and towards the top-right corner, only for the ball to rattle the bar, with keeper Ben Barnes beaten.

1874 wouldn’t have to wait much longer for their ultimately deciding goal. After Harry Cain’s lofted ball looked to have gone astray, full-back Matthew Russell pressurised Skelmersdale’s Tom Croughan into giving Barnes a short back pass, which Russell managed to prod into the path of Parker, who could not miss the empty goal with 30 minutes on the clock.

The goal seemed to push 1874 on for another before half time, but chances were breaking down in the final third.

1874 had an opportunity to double their lead in the closing minutes of the half, after Okome made a good run on the left wing, before floating in a ball for Kennerley who fired over the bar.

Northwich were able to keep their attacking momentum at the start of the second half, as they almost profited from a well-worked corner played along the floor by Parker, for forward Lee Knight to connect with a curving strike, which was saved brilliantly by Barnes.

Just past the hour, 1874 tested Barnes again, this time Parker found space in the Skelmersdale box and fired a shot across goal, which was blocked well by the keeper.

As the game got deeper into the second half, it seemed as though 1874 might be punished for not getting another goal, having wasted numerous chances especially from crosses into the area.

This seemingly pushed Skelmersdale on to snatch an equaliser, but their hope’s of achieving this would become even more difficult.

With just over ten minutes to play, Skem’s Einar White was given a straight red card after he was spotted by the linesman swinging an elbow at 1874’s Russell, whilst the visitors were on the attack.

Skelmersdale were still persistent in trying to find the leveller, with striker Richard Brodie, who spurned some chances in front of goal throughout the game, in the midst of the action.

Deep into injury time, the visitors pushed forward one last time. 1874 keeper Tony Agahere was seen momentarily out of his goal mouth trying to prevent a corner, but the former York City player could not capitalise quickly enough.

The full time whistle shortly came and 1874 would have been happy to have gotten all three points, despite it being not one of their best performances of the season so far.

1874 will now be looking to put in a solid display in their next game on Monday night, where they travel to second placed Whitchurch Alport in the league.

By Joe Dutton