Clitheroe vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

Mitchell’s Magic rescues 74’ at the death

by Jack Owen

Ryan Mitchell found himself unmarked at the back post to head home a deserved equaliser for 1874 in our NPL debut.

Clitheroe had the best of the opening exchanges of the game, playing a direct style through the impressive Sefton Gonzales. The striker had the first chance of the game, turning inside the 1874 area around Mark Jones and driving a left footed effort wide of the post.

The opening goal of the game went to the hosts, Gonzales rising high at the back post from a corner taken by Cole Lonsdale to power a header in to the top corner – giving Aghayere no chance.

It took only two minutes for 1874 to hit back, and in style. Jake Parker delivered a inch perfect cross from the right wing, which found Scott McGowan waiting in the middle. Our record goal scorer met the cross with a sensational bicycle kick finish, ultimately leaving Chris Thompson in the Clitheroe goal helpless.

Keeping up with the chaotic tempo, Clitheroe went down the other end and were awarded a penalty. Sam Hare was judged to have tripped Jamie Edwards as the ball was running out of play, Cole Lonsdale stepped up to send Aghayere the wrong way and put the hosts back in front.

The rest of the first half played out in an end to end contest with both sides on the attack. 74 had the next big chance, with Josh Askew smartly blocking a Taylor Kennerley goal bound effort.

A brilliant save from Tony Aghayere on the stroke of half time, stopped a downward header from Clitheroe’s Jake Connelly which looked to be destined for the net, until the 74 stopper showed his excellent reflexes down low to tip the effort wide.

The second half commenced and 74 began to control the possession, a good block by Clitheroe captain Billy Priestley denied Scott McGowan an effort on goal from the edge of the area.

Club captain Matt Woolley had to withdraw on the 50 minute mark due to injury, he was replaced by James Ormrod. The young midfielder was on hand to play in Mike Koral down the right wing, his cut back was hammered clear before it could find an awaiting Kennerley in the middle.

Harry Cain, introduced for Callum Gardner, sustained a serious looking arm injury and left the field on the 70th minute to a standing ovation from both sets of supporters.

1874 were now in full control, taking the game to the hosts whilst chasing an equaliser. Taylor Kennerley came the closest, arriving at the back post to hit a sweet strike on the half volley, which ricocheted off the post and was scrambled clear by a relieved defence.

Jake Parker had the next big chance, he combined with Scott McGowan but his effort from just inside the area was tame and Thompson could collect with ease.

The dramatic equaliser came in the 6th minute of added time, Sam Hare’s free kick out on the right hand side of the box was headed away. It was kept alive by Jake Parker, who drove to the touch line, looped a cross to the back post and found an unmarked Ryan Mitchell, who headed home and sent the large away support into elation.

The final whistle sounded and brought to a close an extremely entertaining contest, a fitting way to start our debut season in the NPL.

Clitheroe (4-5-1): Chris Thompson (GK), Josh Askew, Cole Lonsdale, Ross Dent, Gary Stopforth, Billy Priestley, Jamie Edwards, Alex Turner (Danny Wilkins 76’), Sefton Gonzales, Joel Mills (Connor Gaul 50’), Jake Connelly (Jack Burrows 69’).

Subs not used: Taylor Brickell, Mbako Chalashika.

1874 (4-3-3): Tony Aghayere (GK), Mike Koral, Lee Jackson, Mark Jones, Ryan Mitchell, Jake Parker, Callum Gardner (Harry Cain 58’)(Ryan Jackson 75’), Matt Woolley (James Ormrod 51’), Scott McGowan, Sam Hare, Taylor Kennerley.

Subs not used: Joe Woolley, Matthew Russell.