Northwich Victoria v AFC Liverpool: 20th February: NWCFL Premier

COMPETITION - North West Counties Premier Division. DATE - Tuesday 20th February 2018. VENUE - Townfield stadium, Northwich.

Attendance - 70.

Line up's -

Vics' -
Donlon, Lawrence, Kenny, Barski, Clarke (caution), Adam Weston (caution), Bickett, Shinks (capt) (Bennett 84'), Walker, Hart (Durnin 84'), Whittington (Gorman 71'). Un-used subs' - Allen Weston, Aspin.

GOALS - Vics' - Shinks 45', Walker 74' (pen), 83'.

AFC Liverpool -
Cookson, Hill, Fitzsimmons, Edgar, Schorah, McConchie (Capt) (caution), Nevitt, Woods (caution), Lyons, Arnasalam (Avis 84'), Howell. Un-used subs' - Cannon-Noren, Parr.

GOAL - Anthony Lyons 60'.

Unavailable for Vics' - Yaw Gyimah (knee) Daniel Johnson (banned), Brian Matthews (hamstring).

Vics' started the game looking like they hadn't shaken off the memories of the hiding at Bootle the previous Saturday. AFC looking very strong and first to every ball, with live-wire winger Mason Nevitt very dangerous down the left wing. Vics' stopper Mike Donlon had to be at his best to deny Nevitt's snap-shot on 15' and then Anthony Lyons' low right-foot effort from 10 yards after winger Jay Howell teed him up beautifully. Vics' were struggling to make any real in-roads in the opening half-hour and Joe Whittington's angled drive that the keeper gathered at the second attempt was the first attempt on goal in the 31st minutes. This sparked the Greens and Olly Walker's downward header from Jay Hart's cross dropped the wrong side of the post just before they took the lead on the stroke of half-time through make-shift midfielder for the evening, Anthony Shinks. Game-star Liam Bickett broke up an AFC Liverpool raid centre-field and he played in Jay Hart down the right and his cut-back picked out Shinks who buried a right-foot finish past the keeper from short range.

Half-time- Vics' 1 AFC Liverpool 0.

The second half began with both sides determined to make their mark with just the single goal separating the sides. AFC got back on terms on the hour when left-back Callum Schorah burst down the wing and sent a raking cross towards the far post where hit-man Anthony Lyons side-footed into the net from six yards past Mike Donlon with Vics' defence all at sea. This then saw a spell of even pressure applied by both sides with Jay Hart coming closest to scoring; his low firm shot being gathered by AFC keeper Cookson at the second attempt on 69' but Vics' restored the lead on 74' when sub' Rory Gorman was felled inside the area by Jay Howell and a penalty was awarded. Olly Walker stepped up to take the free hit and finished with aplomb, right into the far corner with some power. Vics' then got on top with AFC opening up a little after going behind, and Anthony Shinks won a crucial ball in midfield and he sent Gorman scampering into the corner of the eighteen yard box and he picked out the rampaging run of burly striker Olly Walker who buried a right-foot shot across the stricken keeper from 10 yards into the far corner, a clinical finish to wrap up a win for the Vics'.

Full-time- Vics' 3 AFC Liverpool 1.

Vics' M.O.M - Liam Bickett. A successful return to the side for the diminutive midfield schemer. Prompted and probed all evening and picked holes in the AFC defence at will. Great break up of an AFC raid to start the move which broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.

Vics' boss Steve Wilkes' verdict on the victory -
It was great to finally get the first win since Boxing Day. I think it's plain to see st the minute that there's a lack of confidence running through the side, and that showed last night, especially early on in the game. I thought AFC Liverpool were the better side for parts of the game, but the good thing for me was that we looked much fitter and stronger as the game went on and when Olly scored the penalty to put us 2-1 in front, I knew there was only going to be one winner, and we ended up winning 3-1. Great credit to the players because, rightly so, they've taken some stick after the Bootle game, so to bounce back next game with a win shows good character.

Up next for Vics' is a HOME League game Vs Ashton Ath on Saturday 24th February with kick-off at 15:00.

Match report & interview by Jamie Dewsbury.