Vics 5 - Alsager Town 1 : Macron Cup

COMPETITION - Macron Cup 1st Round. DATE - Sunday 21st October 2018. VENUE - Wincham Park, Northwich.

Unavailable for Vics’ -
Joe Camozzi (away), Kirtis Monson, Lewis Pilgrim (both work).

Referee - Ben Atkinson.

LINE-UP’S -
Vics’ - Taberner, Shinks, Kenny, Barski, Clarke (Fitzgerald (D2) 66’), Cooke (C), Whyte (D) (Whittle 83’), Connolly, Brownhill, Doran, Matthews (Craig 73’).
Un-used sub’ - Cottam (GK).

*D - Denotes debut.
*D2 - Denotes second debut.

No cautions for either side.

GOALS - Vics’
Robert Doran 47’, 53’, Brian Matthews 61’, Brandon Barski 82’, Joel Brownhill 88’.

Alsager Tn -
Jack Edwards 6’.

Vics’ brushed aside the threat of the visting Bullets’ with a second five-goal salvo in a week, but it was the visitors who aimed first fire and struck with the first raid on the Vics’ goal on 6’ taking the lead via Jack Edwards; who raced clear of the greens’ rear-guard before slotting a low shot into the far corner of the net from around 16 yards.
Despite the Vics’ dominating much of the rest of the half, heroics from visiting glove-man Rhys Bills in particular one save to deny Brian Matthews on 15’ in a one-on one duel, and John Connolly’s point-blank header dropping the wrong side of the post on 23’ and some poor finishing, meant the Greens went in a goal down at the break.

SECOND HALF -
Vics’ got back on terms within two minutes when Shinks’ chased what looked like a lost cause, but managed to pull the ball back from the bye-line and there was Rob Doran to flick the ball confidently past Bills’ from six yards out.
On 53’ Vics’ took the lead when full debutant Harvey Whytes’ centre reached Rob Doran who rose above the Bullets’ defence to glance a fine header from 8 yards out into the top corner of the net. Vics’ were now a cock-a-hoop and on 61’ struck a third when Whyte again crossed from the right for Matthews to stab the ball from six yards out. It was the hit-man’s ninth goal in his last nine appearances.
Vics’ continued to dominate and stretched the lead further on 82’ when a barn-storming run by Brandon Barski took him to the edge of the box and his cross-cum shot deflected into the roof of the net by Jordan Anbris.
On 84’ Another Barski down-field run was unceremoniously brought to an end by a clumsy challenge by Charlie Marshall and the referee pointed to the spot for a stonewall penalty. Vics’ usual penalty taker un-selfishly stepped aside to allow Rob Doran to complete a hat-trick. Bullets’ keeper thwarted the chance though, saving Doran’s effort well low down to his right. However Vics’ completed a nap-hand for the day when Joel Brownhill’s generosity was rewarded on 88’ when a mazy dribble from midfield schemer John Connolly enabled him to cross low from the left for Brownhill to stroke the ball home from eight yards out.

FULL-TIME - Vics’ 5-1 Alsager Town.

Vics’ MOM - Robert Doran. A typical all-action performance by the robust hit-man. Two clinical finishes to get the Vics’ up and running in the game and unfortunate not to register a deserved hat-trick with his penalty saved late on.

Vics’ boss Steve Wilkes’ post-match verdict -

“This game; without being disrespectful to Alsager Town - gave me the chance to play and have a look at three or four players that haven’t played much so far this season, and I think that showed in the first half.
We created enough chances in the first half to go in front comfortably, but fair play to Alsager they made it difficult. Second half; once we scored the first goal - I think the combination of our good play and Alsager running out of steam a little; saw us win quite comfortably in the end. A massive well done to Rob Doran; who - over the last few weeks, has worked so hard in training on his work-rate and finishing and to see him finally get his rewards with the first two goals. Im so disappointed for him that he didn’t score the penalty, but it shows the great team spirit we have as Joel Brownhill gave him the penalty chance to try and get his third. Although I did actually tell Joel off, but he scored five minutes later himself. It’s now onto Wednesday against Barnton. “

Match report & interview by Jamie Dewsbury.

Up next for Vics’ is a Mid-Cheshire Challenge Cup tie Vs Barnton FC (AWAY) on Weds 24th October with kick-off at 19:45.

Next up after that for Vics’ is a HOME league match Vs Congleton Town on Saturday 27th October with kick-off at 15:00.