Northwich Victoria v City of Liverpool FC : 15th August NWCFL

Tues 15th August 2017.
Competition - North West Counties Premier Division.
Venue - Townfield stadium, Barnton, Northwich.

Tues 15th August 2017.

Vics' Vs City of Liverpool FC

Line-up.
Vics' - Mottram, Lawrence, Oppong, McDonnell (Kavanagh 81') Lyndon (C), Bennett, Marshall (caution) (Cobley 86') Pollard, Gyimah (caution), Matthews (Walker 90') McDonald.
Subs' unused - Berrisford, Shaw.

Att - 220.
Goals -John Bennett 5', Brian Matthews 57', 73'.

City of Liverpool FC goals - Jamie McDonald 29'. Reece Lyndon 89' (own goal).

In a fast opening by Vics', John Bennett opened the scoring on 5' drilling in a left-foot howitzer from 25 yards after a throw- in was cleared into his path by former Warrington stopper Craig Robinson. On 11' Vics' Brian Matthews was sent clear by Sam Marshall but could only fire straight at pool' keeper Jay Steven from ten yards when it looked easier to score. The visitors then assumed control for a long spell, Luke Denson's free kick well saved by Richie Mottram on 24' and they deservedly equalised on 29' when Jamie McDonald stabbed in past Mottram from 3 yards out despite looking suspiciously offside after John Connelly's shot diverted into his path. The remaining quarter of the half saw both sides exchanging possession evenly as the half ended 1-1.

Second half -
Pool' started strong in the start of the second half and Kevin McEllin saw his low snap shot from 8 yards beat Mottram but not the near post on 55'.
Vics' responded 2 minutes later with a great finish by Brian Matthews, who drove low right-footed into the bottom corner of the net across the keeper' from 8 yards out on an angle after Jay Steven had excellently saved Yaw Gyimah's thunderbolt from distance.
Vics' were now on top and playing some fine football, and capped it off with a fantastic goal on 73'. A lighting raid by the Vics' saw Jake Pollard pick out Stu McDonald's rampaging run down the right and he duly sent over a fine cross that Matthews headed powerfully into the top corner from 7 yards out in line with the near post. It was Matthews' fifth league goal in only 2 games.
On 75' Yaw Gyimah then produced a super overhead kick from 10 yards that went just wide with the keeper' well beaten from another pin- point cross by the influential Stu McDonald.
Pool' got a last minute consolation when John Connelly's driven cross was diverted into his own net by Vics' skipper Reece Lyndon from short range.
Vics' saw out the 7' of added time with relative ease to secure 6 points out of 6 in the first two league games of the season after seeing off Padiham 2-4 away on the opening day last Saturday.

Vics' MOM - Sam Marshall. An energetic and productive performance amongst many clad in green & white.

Vics' boss Paul Moore on the thrilling win -

Another great performance Paul.
The lads are really stepping up after a mixed pre-season. Physically and mentally we stood up to the stern test that Liverpool certainly presented, and scored some top quality goals, too.

Yes Jamie, I thought we played some good football for thirty mins in the first half and the same in the second half. We look very good going forward, with pace & power and if we can strengthen up a little defensively we will be a tough side to beat.
They (City Of Liverpool) want to go up and have several EvoStik players in their squad so it shows how good we can be and we need to keep calm, stay grounded and keep up the standard we have shown in these opening two games. The goals were pleasing on the eye; especially the third - a great team move and a quality cross by Stu (McDonald) and a precise header again by Brian (Matthews).

Match report & interview by Jamie Dewsbury.