Whitchurch Alport 2 Vics 1

COMPETITION : Midland League Premier Division
DATE - Saturday 23rd December 2023
VENUE - Air2Root Stadium, Whitchurch

LINE-UP Vics’ -
Reid, Camozzi, Barski, Cookson, Clarke, McKenzie (Switters 53’) Sixsmith, McWilliams ( Causer 69’), Perry, Parker ( Unwin 53’), Sultan

Sub Not used : Bamba, Ogundare
Yellow Card : Sultan 27’, Clarke 64’

GOALS - : Whitchurch Alport : Bower 4’, Meesham 90’
Northwich Vics : Perry 70’

Another last minute goal sends Vics to another away day defeat despite their best away performance of the season.

Vics were still back in the changing rooms as Alport took the lead in just the 4th minute as they allowed Jacob Edwards ro run through unchallenged before passing to Harry Bower who slotted the ball under the partially unsighted Adam Reid. This seemed to wake the Vics up as they started to press forward and were desperately unlucky not to equalise in the 11th minute as Brad Sixsmith slammed a shot against the post from 20 yards. Vics went close again a couple of minutes later as Perry found Callum Parker who crossed low but Niall Sultan’s shot was well blocked by Freddie Bishton. Vics were defending stoutly now, as shown in the 25th minute as somehow they blocked and saved multiple efforts on goal as the ball bounced around the goalmouth. Vics were still pressing for an equaliser , and Marcus Perry went on a run before being brought down inches outside the area. The resulting free kick was slammed into the wall by Brandon Barski. As the first half was coming to a close, Vics’ keeper Adam Reid produced a tremendous point blank block with Fraser Cookson doing equally well to block the rebound.
A fairly even first half with just an early lack of concentration letting Vics down but they created plenty to show they could get something from the match.

HALF-TIME : Whitchurch Alport 1 Northwich Vics 0

The second half started scrappily but chances for both sides were still being created. Firstly Sam Unwin glanced a header just wide with virtually his first touch then Harry Farnworth did well for Alport before firing a shot which deflected for a corner. The resultant corner came out to Hughes who cracked a shot against the bar. Vics finally got the equaliser their play deserved in the 70th minute. Marcus Perry magnificently brought a long ball under control , left his full-back for dead, cut inside and fired a shot in off the near post, a cracking goal! Alport started to show more urgency now and Reid had to produce a fingertip save to tip a Bower shot over the bar. Both teams had big chances in the final few minutes, firstly Reid produced a magnificent double save to deny firstly a long shot from Allcock, then Hughes from the rebound. Then Fraser Cookson for Vics slammed a great shot against the bar after it came out to him from a corner. So Close ! Alport then went up the other end and Tom Meesham was there to poke home from close range after a goalmouth scramble in the 90th minute.

FULL-TIME : Whitchurch Alport 2 Northwich Vics 1

Vics will feel hard done by to get nothing out of a match in which they were the better team for the most part, but it was a match decided by fine margins, and the lads showed plenty of determination and effort, and surely that first elusive away win in the league will come soon, hopefully on Boxing Day when we play the league leaders Congleton Town.

NEXT MATCHES :
DECEMBER 26th League away v CONGLETON TOWN 3.00pm
DECEMBER 30th League away v HIGHGATE UNITED 3.00pm