West Didsbury & Chorlton vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON 2 -2 1874 NORTHWICH 2

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY 12TH JULY 2014
1874 Northwich played fellow NWCFL Premier Division side West Didsbury & Chorlton in a highly competitive fast paced pre-season encounter on a warm sunny afternoon.
The home side enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges exerting pressure on the 1874 goal going close to scoring several times. As the first half progressed 1874 started to gain the upper hand creating several chances of their own.
Mike Brandon took advantage of a WD&C defender slipping to take the ball around their goalkeeper, but saw his shot cleared by a covering defender. Moments later the keeper just beat Brandon to clear a through ball and Ryan Mitchell fired a long range shot wide.

Both teams drew fine saves from their opposing goalkeeper with long range shots before 1874 opened the scoring on the stroke of half time. An inch perfect ball from Matty Ward dropped over the shoulder of the last WD&C defender into the path of Brandon who calmly steered the ball past the on rushing keeper.
Numerous substitutions by both sides in the second half failed to disrupt the flow of an open game as both sides remained committed to all out attack.
Having gone close to doubling their lead several times, 1874 scored their second goal on the hour mark. After WD&C cleared the ball from their penalty area it dropped to Matt Woolley, who unleashed a powerful drive which flew into the net from 25 yards.

The home side fought their way back into the game with a well taken goal in the 75th minute. Jerome Bryson twisted and turned 1874 defenders inside and out before shooting home from inside the area.
1874 went close to restoring their two goal advantage but Sakeel Abdullah’s shot was cleared off the line and Paul Connor had a shot well saved before WD&C equalised in the 85th minute. The WD&C goalkeeper launched a long ball down the middle of the pitch which bounced over the 1874 defence allowing Gary Lilley to head over Matt Conkie to tie the scores.
In the dying minutes of an entertaining game, which gave 1874 and their followers an idea of what life in the Premier Division will be like, Conkie was twice called into action pulling of a couple of fine saves to deny WD&C a last gasp victory.

1874 – Conkie, Mitchell, Duckworth, Thomas, Aston, Jones, Woods, Ward, Brandon, Short, Connor – Subs used Woolley (Jones 28), Murphy (Aston 56), Abdullah (Woods 68), Igenoza (Short 56), Short (Brandon 81). Sub not used Bailey.

GOALS – 1874 – Brandon 44, Woolley 60.
WD&C – Bryson 75, Lilley 85.

REFEREE – B.Lamb