1874 Northwich vs West Didsbury & Chorlton

Recap

FLYING SCOTTY KEEPS 74 ON TRACK
BY GARRY CLARKE

1874 NORTHWICH 1-0 WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON HSL PREMIER
18TH NOVEMBER 2017

Scotty McGowan’s 17th goal of the season clinched three points for 1874 Northwich from a difficult HSL Premier Division fixture at St Luke’s Barton Staflightdium against West Didsbury & Chorlton.

1874 quickly worked up a head of steam and went close to scoring on two occasions in the opening minutes. Adam Whitlock struck an upright with a wicked free kick in the 2nd minute and a minute later Taylor Kennerley was denied by a fine save from West goalkeeper Steve Dryden.

The visitors, having lost their previous five league games, hit back with Ashley Woods flashing a shot across the face of 1874’s goal and former 1874 hit man Tom Bailey shooting wide from distance.

1874 quickly regained control and McGowan volleyed inches wide of the target having run onto a long ball played over the top of West’s defence. 1874 continued to dominate the first half but were frustrated by hard working opponents who were determined not to allow 1874 to play their usual free flowing style.

As half time approached, McGowan received the ball in a packed penalty area with his back to goal, twisting and turning he fired a shot which drew a fine save from Dryden.

On the stroke of half time Whitlock delivered a corner which West only half cleared, on the edge of the area Jake Parker fired in a shot which was blocked on the line, the ball rebounded to him but his second effort flew over the bar.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first half with 1874 dominating possession against a team content to soak up pressure and try to counter attack. 1874 created more goal scoring opportunities in the second period but struggled to find a way past an inspired Dryden making his debut between the stick for West having only signed in the hours leading up to the game.

Five minutes after the re start Ryan Mitchell set Whitlock away down the right wing, cutting inside he slipped a pass to McGowan whose shot was blocked by Dryden. The ball fell to Kennerley who shot over the bar.

Five minutes later Bailey set up Ben Steer, whose shot from the edge of the area cleared 1874’s bar.

On the hour mark Lee Jackson’s cross found McGowan in the middle of the penalty area, Dryden reacted quickly to block McGowan’s shot at point blank range.

McGowan finally got the better of Dryden in the 69th minute slotting home from close range off a Sam Hind cross, after the 1874 substitute was found by a pin point accurate diagonal ball from Whitlock.

Dryden denied Kennerley in the 75th minute keeping out his header from a Whitlock cross.
In the 80th minute a Woods cross found Joe Shaw who shot against the framework of 1874’s goal. Four minutes later Whitlock ended a surging run through the West defence by smacking a shot against the foot of a post. In stoppage time Dryden pulled off two good saves to deny McGowan and Kennerley.

1874 – Hall, Mitchell, L Jackson, Pritchard, Meadowcroft, Jones (Hind 64), Whitlock, M Woolley, McGowan, Parker (Waite-Jackson 64), Kennerley. Subs not used Riley, Connor, Woods.

WDC – Dryden, Mason, Tinker, Hagon, Sergent, Potts, Steer (Hilton 70), Shaw (Massamba 80), Bailey, Kay, Woods.

GOAL 1874 McGowan 69

ATTENDANCE 244 REFEREE Alan Bennett

MAN OF THE MATCH – Scott McGowan