Charnock Richard vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

Charnock Richard 0-5 1874: Visitors shine in new away kit to maintain 100% league record

1874 Northwich managed to come up with a ruthless 45 minute display to beat Charnock Richard at Mossie Park in the North West Counties Premier Division.

As the first half played out, the home side’s best chance came from a free-kick on the edge of the box fifteen minutes in.

Full-back Spencer Bibby shot left-footed over the wall, hitting the outside of 1874 goalkeeper Micky Ward’s left post.

Ten minutes later, 1874 winger Taylor Kennerley collected midfielder Sam Hare’s header and ran into the Charnock box, firing a shot low across goal destined for the bottom right corner, but Richard’s keeper Ben Ashcroft saved well.

Minutes later, Kennerley would yet again be in the thick of the action, as he played a one-two with Hare from a short corner, sending the ball into the box, which managed to loop over everyone, only for the crossbar to help the beaten Ashcroft.

1874 kept pushing forward towards the end of the first half, looking for the opening goal, with numerous chances coming in the Charnock penalty area.

The clearest opening before the break fell to striker Scott McGowan, who gathered a loose ball close to the six-yard box and managed to swivel round, firing a shot with his left that was blocked well by Ashcroft.

1874 started the second half as they ended the first, with high intensity and pressure, looking to create chances in volume.

Just four minutes into the half, Northwich broke and after McGowan played a ball into Kennerley in acres of space on the left wing, he provided a pass for Jake Parker, who finished well into the bottom-right corner.

The opening goal seemed to spur the visitors on for more, and aftMcGowan received the ball from Sam Hare across the face of the penalty spot, he fired a shot at goal, only for the bar to rattle once again.

As the game approached the hour mark, 1874 managed to get a second goal through Kennerley, which was deserved on merit for his performance, after coming so close in the first half on occasions.

The ball looped into the Charnock box, which Ashcroft misjudged, meaning an easy pass by Parker into Kennerley, who finished low into the middle of the goal for number two.

Moments later, McGowan again had a chance through on goal, this time lifting a right-footed shot over the bar, after being one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Chances seemed to come by the minute now for Northwich, as they managed to get the third goal that looked to seal the well deserved win.

After Hare was played in by substitute Harry Cain, he shot to Ashcroft’s left who yet again made a good save, but the ball fell kindly for Parker to tap in.

With around fifteen minutes to play, Cain, who looked lively coming on, unleashed a shot with his left on the edge of the box, which skimmed the bar.

Things were about to get a whole lot worse for Charnock.

After Danny Regan hacked down Cain in the centre circle, he received a second yellow and was given his marching orders.

Cain would be joined in the middle of the park by Nathan Okome, who replaced captain Matthew Wooley, and he was able to get on the scoresheet for the first time at his new club, placing the ball seemingly effortlessly into the bottom right corner.

1874 were not done there, as yet another substitute netted a goal, this time coming from midfielder Callam Gardner, who managed to superbly curve the ball in off the post past Ashcroft, who was probably Charnock’s best player on the day, this one coming deep into injury time to make the final score 5-0.

A brilliant performance from 1874, whose large contingent of travelling fans can feel upbeat about the season, following four terrific victories in a row.

Northwich will be looking to keep the momentum going as they host Irlam in the league on Tuesday night.

By Joe Dutton