Congleton Town vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

DOUBLES FROM SCOTTY AND RYAN GET 1874 BACK ON TRACK

CONGLETON TOWN 1 V 4 1874 NORTHWICH FC

Tuesday 24th April 2018

1874 Northwich returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over Congleton Town on Tuesday evening but only after the hosts had taken the lead in the 15th minute – a lead which they managed to hold on to until the 4th minute of the second half.

Perhaps understandably as they were playing their SIXTH game in just EIGHT days 1874 started the game a little more slowly than is their normal style but nevertheless they did produce the first chance of a goal as early as the 6th minute when Thomas headed wide when well placed to meet a corner from the right and it was a double blow just nine minutes later when Congleton took the lead from a corner of their own as Hibbert headed home comfortably when unchallenged in the penalty area.

The game livened up considerably after this opening goal as both sides looked to get forward quickly at every opportunity but 1874’s distribution and final ball especially was a little disappointing.

The best move of the opening half came from 1874 as Matty Russell and Ryan Jackson combined well but Jackson’s shot was well saved.

H-T 1-0

The first chance after the interval came to 1874 as they looked to get back on level terms and Rory Fallon did well by winning the ball in midfield before surging forward and then passing to McGowan on his left but the top striker’s effort was well saved.

But 1874 and their usual strong travelling supporters didn’t have to wait too long for their side to equalise and not surprisingly it was their leading goalscorer McGowan who obliged just four minutes into the half as he turned the ball over the line from close in.

The game had livened up considerably at this point as both sides looked to take the upper hand and it was 1874 that did just that on the hour mark as McGowan netted again with his usual ease. (This goal – his 38th of 1874’s long season saw him pass the goal scoring record of Michael Brandon who managed to score 35 goals for 1874 in a previous season

1874 didn’t have to wait too long for a decisive third goal when good work by Winthrop on the left flank finished with his exquisite pass into the path of his fellow young wide man – Ryan Jackson who fired home with ease from just inside the area.

The 1874 Managers had made three substitutions by this point – introducing Kyle Riley, Sam Freakes and Paul Collins into the game and all three of them performed well with Riley most unfortunate not to have scored a goal in his late cameo performance whilst Freakes once again showed his ability to win the ball in midfield and then pass quickly and accurately to his team mates.

The icing on the cake for this well earned 1874 win came with their fourth goal which was made by and scored by two of their younger players – Kazim Waite-Jackson who did well on the left hand side before delivering an inch-perfect pass into the feet of the advancing Ryan Jackson who collected the ball in his stride before advancing a few yards before easily beating the keeper for his second goal of the game to make the points safe for 1874

1874 now have a rest before their next game on Thursday 26th April at home to Widnes

1874 Team: Hall; Lever (Sub Connor H-T) ; Woods: Pritchard (capt); Thomas; Woolley Matt (Sub Freakes 55) ; Jackson (Ryan); Fallon; McGowan (Sub Riley 63); Waite-Jackson & Winthrop – Unused subs: Mitchell & Payne

Referee: Jack Nield Attendance: 160