Northwich Victoria v Stockport Town 8th September 2017: FA Vase

Northwich Victoria v Stockport Town 8th September 2017: FA Vase

A quiet start to the game, with only a Devlin header into the side netting from a Town corner, and a daisycutter from Sam Marshall going just wide for Vics after a good cushioned layoff by Brian Matthews. Then after 22 minutes, a long angled cross from the left by Abreu found Tyler Edwards in acres of space at Vics’ far post and he calmly slotted the ball into the net. 1-0 Stockport Town. Town pressed on and two minutes later, it was nearly 2, as Edwards headed just wide. 32 minutes in, Jamie Hinchliffe fired a shot inches over from distance, but it was Vics who struck next when after good work by Matthews, the ball found its way to Yaw Gyimah in the six-yard box, and he slipped the ball past Forth into the net. On the stroke of half time, Town nearly regained the lead as Downes drifted into the area and fired a shot past Longdin in the Vics goal, but also past the post.

Half time Score: Northwich Vics 1 Stockport Town 1

The second half started quietly until the 57th minute, when Matty Clarke won a corner after his shot was deflected. From the corner, another ex Vics player was left unmarked 6 yards out and he easily headed past Longdin. Vics nearly struck back quickly, as a terrific long-range strike by Josh Kavanagh was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Forth. However it was Town who extended their lead after 69 minutes as Aaron Dwyer low shot from a tight angle found the net. 8 minutes later, Dwyer again cut in from the right, and this time his well struck effort deflected off the unfortunate Reece Lyndon into the net to make it 4 – 1 to Town. Vics kept going, and earned a penalty for handball after an effort had rebounded off the post. Brian Matthews duly slotted the ball home. 4 minutes of injury time were signalled, and Olly Walker powerfully headed home from a Vics’ cross to give the Greens a glimmer of hope, but despite pressing, Stockport Town held on.

Final Score: Northwich Vics 3 (Gyimah, Matthews (pen), Walker) Stockport Town 4