Northwich Victoria F.C vs Ashton Town F.C Report

08.07.2017

Northwich Victoria F.C vs Ashton Town F.C

The Hinchcliffe Holmes Stadium, Barnton.

Northwich Victoria Lineup:

1. Richie Mottram
2. Daniel McDonell
3. Mike McDonald
4. McLean Oppong
5. Reece Lyndon
6. Mike Beresford
7. Josh Kavanagh
8. John Bennett
9. Matty Francis
10. Matty Shaw
11. Stuart McDonald

Substitutes:
12. Adam Lawrence
13. Will Smith
14. Brian Matthews
15. Andy Alston
16. Jack Turnbull
17. Paul Moore

Northwich Victoria returned to action against Ashton Town FC. There were a few familiar faces in the Northwich line up from last seasons squad including; Reece Lyndon, John Bennett, Matty Shaw, Stuart McDonald and Adam Lawrence. Paul Moore had assembled a squad of newcomers to nest in alongside the old guard. The game kicked off and both teams were out to gain fitness and get some game time in their legs.
In the 9th minute debutant McLean Oppong lofted a ball back to goalkeeper Richie Mottram failing to realise that Mottram was off his line only for the ball to bounce over him and into the empty net. The visitors were
1-0 up. Vics went on the offensive and were controlling the game for the rest of the first half with a number of good attacking moves coming together. In the 13th minute Vics had a penalty shout ruled out when Stuart McDonald went on a mazy run into the box only for the Ashton Town defender to win the ball and clear it away. The right decision made. Vics went on the offensive a couple of minutes later when a great move down the left hand side led to a wonderful ball in from Matty Francis which just evaded the head of Stuart McDonald. Matty Shaw then had a tame shot saved by the Ashton Town​ goalkeeper after more good work down the right flank from Stuart McDonald. The Trickies then spurned the best chance yet to equalise when a wonderful free-kick was bent in from John Bennett then Reece Lyndon cushioned it across goal only for Matty Francis to not get enough power on his shot.
A missed opportunity from the boys in green. Just before the break Vics got the equaliser they deserved. The ball was whipped in by Matty Shaw from a free-kick and found the head of Reece Lyndon and then found the back of the net.

Half Time Score: 1-1.

The second half kicked off with a number of new faces on the pitch as you would expect in pre-season friendlies. The game was being contested in the middle of the pitch and not many chances were being created. Both teams were playing well and it was an even contest. Notably Reece Lyndon the centre half went on a rampaging run down the right wing, but only to see his effort whistle wide of the post. The game petered out in true pre-season fashion due to tired legs and regular substitutions. A fair result and a good run out in testing conditions. Definitely something to build on.

Final Score: Northwich Victoria: 1-1 Ashton Town

Paul Moore shared a few words after the game:
"I thought we controlled the game really well in the first half, it became a little scrappy in the 2nd half but we did well.
It was very noticeable we didn't have our forward line to select but the young lads did themselves proud.
I'm looking at a few more players Tuesday and have a couple in the pipeline. But for our first 90 mins I thought we did ok"