Northwich Vics 3 Whitchurch Alport 1

COMPETITION : Midland League Premier Div’n
DATE - Wednesday 27th September 2023
VENUE - U Lock It Stadium, Northwich

LINE-UP Vics’ -
Reid,, Camozzi, Cookson, Cole, Roberts, Clarke, Kilheeney ( Smith 64'), Switters, Unwin, Perry, Seear ( Parker 70")

Unused Subs : Krakue Grindrod , Griman

GOALS - : Northwich Vics : Unwin 55', 90+3', Smith 88'
Whitchurch Alport : Hughes 85' Pen

A match which started slowly, but ended in a stunning climax.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes, it was Whitchurch who had the first shot in anger, as Alex Hughes fired aan effort over the bar from distance. Two minutes later, Ric Seear for Vics drove forward, dragged the ball back for Dylan Switters who swerved one man before firing a shot goal bound which was well blocked at the last moment by defender Lyndon Campbell. Marcus Perry then turned the last man, and raced forward but again was denied by a well timed block. It was Whitchurch who then went close as a great strike from the edge of the area by Ryan Allcock cannoned back off the post with keeper Reid beaten. A lucky escape for the Vics. Vics were however just edging it and a Matty Clarke shot whistled over the bar in the 31st minute whilst Seear was inches away from connecting with a superb cross from the right a minute later. Marcus Perry was causing problems down the left , and in the 44th minute, he was sent through by Dylan Switters into the box, where he was crudely brought down, penalty to the Vics !. Up stepped Samual Unwin, but his tame shot was saved by Jack Sheward in the Whitchurch goal. However this seemed to fire Vics up, and they had two good chances in the last seconds of the half, firstly, Perry forced a good save from Sheward with a good strike after turning his man, whilst seconds later, Unwin's shot was blocked and the rebound was put over the bar by Switters.

HALF-TIME : Northwich Vics 0 Whitchurch Alport 0

Vics started the second half as they ended the first, pushing forward and creating chances. A Seear shot was deflected over, whilst Unwin claimed a penalty as he was brought down after weaving his way past 3 defenders, but the referee was having none of it. The pressure paid off though in the 55th minute, as Perry drove across the area, before the ball fell to Sam Unwin who steadied himself before firing a shot through the keeper's legs to put Vics in the lead. Whitchurch tried to rally, but were denied by Adam Reid twice , first from a one on one chance then from a little close range flick shot. Vics appeared to be coping well and were denying Whictchurch clear cut chances, and their hopes seemed doomed as in the 76th minute, Elliot Jukes was sent off for a stamp on Dylan Switters as both tussled for the ball. This was 2 minutes after coming on as a substitute ! However the drama was still to come as Whitchurch were awarded a penalty in the 85th minute as Leo Roberts brought down Hughes in the area, and it was Hughes who fired the spot kick past Reid to look like grabbing an unlikely point. However Vics are made of stern stuff nowadays and they came powering back and earned a corner in the 88th minute which was sent over by Switters for Anton Smith to power a header past Sheward much to the delight of the Vics' fans. Then in the 3rd minute of added on time, Sam Unwin powered a great strike into the top corner to ensure Vics took all 3 points .

FULL-TIME : Northwich Vics 3 Whitchurch Alport 1

An excellent win for the Vics, especially as they looked to have thrown it away at the death, before showing their spirit and coming back in style.

NEXT MATCHES: LEAGUE : SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER away v ATHERSTONE TOWN 3.00pm kick off