Northwich Victoria v Burscough: 2nd September 2017 League

Northwich Victoria v Burscough: 2nd September 2017 League

Vics started the match with new signing Antony Shinks, teaming up in the heart of the defence with Reece Lyndon, and it wasn’t long before he was in the action but at the other end of the pitch when he got up to meet a corner, but unfortunately headed straight at the Burscough keeper. After 14 minutes, after good work down the right, Olly Walker collected the ball, and created a bit of space but his shot was blocked. two minutes later, a quick Burscough break ended with a shot just wide. After 18 minutes, Vics were awarded a free kick, and it was floated into the box for Reece Lyndon to get up and power a header into the back of the net. One - Nil to the Vics . Just 2 minutes later, Vics win the ball in the left back position, and a through ball to Matthews is laid off to Olly Walker whose shot is blocked, Matthews follows up but his effort goes over the bar . Burscough were still very much of threat, and a dangerous ball in from the left, just evaded strikers and defenders alike, whilst Lyndon did well to deal with a dangerous free kick just a minute later. Burscough had their best chance after 30 minutes, when they were one on one just eight yards now, but Mottram produced a magnificent save to just palm the ball round the post. Burscough were pressing now, and earned a corner which they swung in onto the top of the crossbar, and then after 41 minutes , the ball broke to a Burscough player infront of goal, but Mottram did excellently to win the ball at the strikers feet.

Half time : Vics 1 Burscough 0

The second half started fairly evenly, with Marshall looking dangerous down the flank for Vics, but it was Burscough who equalised after 54 minutes, when they were awarded a penalty for a foul in the area, which was confidently scored by Alexander Parkes. Burscough were now exerting pressure , and a series of shots were somehow blocked by the Vics defence after the ball was played into the area. After 60 minutes, Mottram was forced to run wide to clear the ball but was caught stranded there as a shot came in, which Reece Lyndon did miraculously well to turn the ball from the line. By now, Vics were getting back in the game, and were looking the most likely to get a winner. Marshall was causing havoc down the right, and a cross was headed just wide by Walker. After 82 minutes, Marshall again went on a run, beating 4 or 5 players before cutting in, but his shot was straight at the keeper. A minute later, a superb cross from Yaw Gyimah, was met by Matthews but he couldn’t get quite the power on it to trouble the keeper. 88 minutes in and Vics were denied a stone wall penalty as Cobley was pulled back from getting onto the end of a through ball in the area , but the referee viewed it differently.

Final Score: Northwich Victoria 1 ( Lyndon) Burscough 1

A much improved performance by Vics, especially defensively with Shinks looking solid at the back.

Man of the Match , as awarded by Match Sponsors S & I Hodgkin: Reece Lyndon. A commanding performance at the back highlighted by a goal line clearance and capped with a tremendous headed goal