LINE-UP Vics’ -
Reid, Camozzi, Cookson, Allen, Hurst, Parker ( Lynch 77’), Smith ( Aziamale 71’), Clarke, Farmer (McWilliams 83’), Unwin ( Perry 75’), Chimenes

Sub Not used : Ogundare,

GOALS - Northwich Vics : Chimenes 36’, Unwin 45’, 65’
Atherstone Town : Spiers 61’, Blythe 85’

Vics beat the in-form Atherstone Town with a display full of character and resilience capped with 3 well taken goals.

The match started fairly evenly with both teams forcing corners early on. Vics were only denied the opening goal after 11 minutes when a free kick was swung in by Unwin and Cookson’s header was brilliantly saved by the Town keeper Osborn. Vics were battling hard and looking firm in defence limiting Town to a couple of long range shots. 26 minutes in, Sam Unwin did well down the left, cut in along the byline and laid the ball back for Max Chimenes but his shot was skewed well wide. Tackles were going in hard ( and late) in midfield with 3 players quickly booked. Then in the 36th minute, Vics took the lead with a marvellous goal. Farmer played the ball through for Max Chimenes to half volley past Finn Osborn in the Town net. Town came storming back, and Vics just about survived a goalmouth scramble with a clearance off the line, followed by a free header from a corner which Town somehow managed to put wide . However Vics were looking clinical upfront and went further ahead in the 45th minute as the returning Anton Smith did brilliantly down the right beating his man, before laying the ball across the goalmouth for Sam Unwin to slam the ball home from close range. Atherstone was then given a lifeline on the stroke of half time as Matt Clarke was judged to have brought down Toby Bartram inside the area, a very dubious decision. Lewis Collins stepped up but Adam Reid made a fantastic save to keep Vics’ lead intact at the break.

HALF-TIME : Northwich Vics 2 Atherstone Town 0

The second half started with Town having more of the ball but creating little whilst Vics looked dangerous with quick breakaways. Unwin again beat his man down the wing, and laid a great ball across the face of the goal but no-one was there to turn the ball home, whilst Callum Parker then got down the right before drilling a fierce shot just wide. Then Town got back into the match, after a terrible referee’s decision to not give a foul on Sam Unwin as he was the victim of a late tackle in midfield. Atherstone played on with Jake Brown striking the bar with a chipped shot, but the ball rebounded for Jamie Spiers to stab the ball home whilst Unwin was still in agony on the half way line. However, justice was done a minute later, as a limping Unwin played a neat one-two corner on the left, beat his man on the by-line before curling in a great shot from a tight angle. 3- 1 to the Vics . Unwin was then immediately substituted, and looks doubtful for Tuesday’s night match away at Wolverhampton Casuals. Vics were then reduced to 10 men on the 68th minute as Roman Allen’s tackle was deemed worthy of a straight red, another strange decision as many previous similar challenges had gone unpunished or shown a Yellow. Vics reorganised with Chimenes going back into defence to cover , and they looked to be coping with Town’s more direct style of play now as they threw everything at Vics. Indeed, Vics looked fairly comfortable until the 85th minute when Town grabbed a second as Richard Blythe headed home from a cross. Nerves jangled in the crowd but not on the pitch as Vics confidently stood firm and played the last few minutes out without drama to record a much needed win.

FULL-TIME : Northwich Vics 3 Atherstone Town 2

A resolute and determined performance by the Vics coupled with some great attacking play gaining them a well deserved victory against a good Atherstone side.
Manager Matt Barnes view of the match :
"Well what can I say ? It felt like everything was against us, the penalty given, a red card and some dubious decisions but our lads overcame that and showed unbelievable attitude and fight to get the 3 points. We said the lads will work hard for the fans, and they certainly did that. We have to match that performance and more now on Tuesday. Thanks again for your amazing support "

NEXT MATCH
TUESDAY MARCH 12th League Away v Wolverhampton Casuals 7.45pm