1874 Northwich vs West Didsbury & Chorlton

Recap

MCGOWN TO THE FORE AS 74 RETURN TO WINNING WAYS

BY GARRY CLARKE 

1874 NORTHWICH 5-1 WEST DIDSURY & CHORLTON    HSL PREMIER    26TH JANUARY 2019

Scott McGowan was 1874 Northwich’s four goal hero as they ended their four game losing run in style.

Languishing in the lower reaches of the Hallmark Security League Premier Division table, West Didsbury & Chorlton went close to snatching an early lead, but debutant goalkeeper Tony Aghayere, a spectator for much of the game; reacted smartly to save low down from Jack Langford’s shot from close range in the 5th minute.

Having survived their early scare 1874 worked their way into the game. West goalkeeper William Jones was called into action early in the game to claim a Jack Irlam header, Taylor Kennerley curled a free kick wide of the far post and a diving Lee Jackson headed a Mike Koral cross into the side netting.1874 had a strong penalty appeal turned down by referee Blake Antrobus in the 36thminute after McGowan took a tumble in the area, however he had no hesitation pointing to the spot four minutes later when Kennerley was tripped by Josh Tinker.McGowan successfully dispatched his 7th penalty of the season powering his shot through Jones’ hands to open the scoring.

Two minutes later McGowan combined with Kennerley whose inside pass deceived Jones allowing Sam Hare to shoot into an open net. Kennerley almost made it three on the stroke of half time but Jones tipped his 20 yard free kick over the bar.

The second half continued along the same lines with 1874 dominating the game. Within the first ten minutes of the half Irlam hit West’s bar with a header from a free kick and Hare had a shot cleared off the line by Matt Eckersley after he had rounded the keeper. 1874 scored their third goal of a wet and windy afternoon on the hour mark. West failed to fully clear a corner; Kennerley returned the ball into the danger area where Danny Meadowcroft flicked the ball to McGowan who drilled his shot through a packed six yard box.

Two minutes later McGowan completed his hat-trick with a spectacular goal from 25yards out. Chasing a long ball down field McGowan pounced as West defenders hesitated to send a dipping shot over Jones’ head into the top corner of the net.

Shell shocked West lost possession close to their own penalty area in the 64th minute allowing McGowan to slot home his 27th goal of the season.1874 continued to press forward with Meadowcroft heading over the bar, Jones cutting out a dangerous Kazim Waite-Jackson cross and Kennerley fizzed a cross along the six yard box to which no one could apply the finishing touch, but it was the visitors who scored the game’s final goal in the 76th minute.

Aghayere pulled of a good save to keep out Dan McLaughlin’s angled drive but could only divert the ball into the path of substitute Divine Shanganya who bundled the ball into the empty net,Boosted by their consolation goal, West finished the game strongly. Ciaran Kilheeny fired a free kick just off target from outside the area Aghayere finished the game blacking a shot from the edge of the area after he had punched a free kick away.

1874 – Aghayere, Connor, L Jackson, Meadowcroft, Jones, Irlam, Koral (Gardner 66), M Woolley, McGowan (Phipps 75), Hare (Waite-Jackson 65), Kennerley. Subs not used Lever, Ormrod.

WD&C – Jones, Tinker, Miranda, Sergeant, Eiselt (Rogers 68), Eckersley, McLaughlin, Langford, Kilheeny, Shaw (Shanganya 75), Coombes (Uchegbulam 75). Subs not used Burgess, Butucel.GOALS  1874 McGowan 43p, 60,62,64           WDC Shanganya 76

ATTENDANCE 240                                REFEREE  Blake Antobus

Man of the match selected by match sponsors THE ELITE RIFF RAFF – Scott McGowan