What a fantastic week!
Sunday 20 March – U21’s hit 7 Up
The U21’s took on a Crewe FC side looking for revenge after having suffered a narrow defeat only a week before going down 2-1.
From the kick off 1874 controlled the game totally playing their best football of the season. Andy Moore opened the scoring with a delightful chip over the Crewe keeper and with two more goals added by Robbie Simpson before half time, 1874 threatened to run riot.
From the first attack of the second half, Danny de la Bastide’s header made it 4-0 before Simpson completed his hat trick with a great solo effort jinxing past three defenders. Following great work from Kennerley, Simpson couldn’t miss and made it 6-0 before Zac Whelan powerfully headed in from a corner to complete the rout. If it hadn’t been for the Crewe keeper it would have been double figures! Final score 7-0.
Sunday 27 March – Another win for 1874
1874 took on Malvern (a team based in Warrington) looking for revenge after the heavy 7-1 defeat only 6 weeks ago.
The team started the game brightly on the front foot creating two early chances but the Malvern keeper pulled off two fine saves.
10 minutes in and the pressure applied paid off through Robbie Simpson, who beat his man for pace, turned to the right and his shot looped over the keeper into the top right of the net, 1-0.
After some positive attacking play the game came to a halt as storm Katie passed over, dropping torrential rain and some hail stones a quarter of an hour in. The short break disrupted 1874 as Malvern piled the pressure on the defence with Callum Shuttleworth making some great saves, aided by a strong defensive unit in front of him. However, following a counter attack Simpson slotted in his second of the game 10 minutes before half time.
Just before half time, Malvern were awarded a penalty. The reason was unclear and both sets of players were equally confused by the ref’s decision. Malvern converted 2-1.
The second half started with Malvern again on the front foot but 1874 defended solidly. On the hour Shuttleworth made a superb double save to keep 1874 in the lead – tipping the ball to the side before recovering to make a second save, finally clutching the ball close to his chest.
With 1874 playing deep, Malvern continued to press in the search of an equaliser however with men committed, ’74 broke away. Simpson, having picked up a lofted pass by Sam Hill, played in Danny De La Bastide who raced through the middle and knocked the ball into the corner, he beat his defender and slotted the ball in top left corner with the keeper standing no chance. A great goal to seal the game, 3-1.
1874 saw out the final 10 minutes to consolidate second, place although the chasing pack have games in hand.
Results, fixtures and the League table can be found here http://1874northwich.com/static/under-21-fixtures
U21 ‘signs’
To cap off a tremendous week for our U 21’s, goal scorer Robbie Simpson was the latest player to sign for the senior team. This was completed just before the North West Counties League registration deadline and is another example of the progress being made by our young players.
Well done to all