Vics 3 v Runcorn Town 1 : Macron Cup

COMPETITION - Macron League Cup 2nd Round DATE - Sunday 11th November 2018. VENUE - Wincham Park, Northwich.

Attendance - 120.

LINE-UP’S -

Vics’ - Taberner, Camozzi, Kenney, Barski, Monson, Cooke (C), Clarke (FitzGerald 83’), Whyte ( Whittle 45'), Brownhill, Matthews (Mason 72’ (D) ), Doran Un-used subs’ - Pilgrim , Craig

*D* - Denotes debut.

Town - Reid, Wainwright (Jarrett 79'), Carberry, Heath, James, McManus, Brazel, Rogers, McDonald, Thelwell, Wright.

Un-used subs’ - Corke, France, McGregor.

GOALS
Vics’ - Robert Doran 20', Joel Brownhill 38' , Billy Whittle 90’
Town - Leon Wright 33'

Following an exemplary 2 minute silence to honour Remembrance Sunday , this Macron Cup tie began quietly, but after about 15 minutes, it was Vics who started to press and forced a couple of corners , but to no advantage. On 19 minutes, Barski collected a diagonal ball from Clarke, then laid it off to Brownhill, whose powerful shot was blocked. Next it was Brownhill's turn to be provider , as he turned his defender and curled a lovely cross over towards Brian Matthews who was just a whisker away from providing the finishing touch. The breakthrough came immediately after however, as Harvey Whyte chipped a delightful cross over to the far post where Robert Doran dived in to powerfully head the ball home. The lead was short lived, as after 31 minutes, a long ball from Runcorn's keeper, Reid was latched onto by Wright who headed the ball home following a lack of communication in the Vics' defence. It was Vics who were doing most of the pressing, and they deservedly took the lead again on 38 minutes , when Harvey Whyte turned his defender, laid the ball wide to Robert Doran whose pinpoint cross was headed home by Joel Brownhill. The half ended with controversy, as Towns' number 8 dived into a challenge on Harvey Whyte, who limped off after prolonged treatment as the half time whistle went.
Half time : Vics 2 Runcorn Town 1

Vics started the second half with a series of chances, firstly Doran had a flicked header just wide of the post, then after great work by the front 3, Matthews was in acres of space but only managed to steer the ball wide, and finally after a great knockdown by Brian Matthews, an onrushing Billy Whittle fired his shot just high of the bar . These missed chances gave Runcorn some hope and they started to press forward and Taberner was forced into a good save from a Brazel header after a free kick to Town. However Town's hopes of retrieving the match were severely reduced when goal-scorer Leon Wright dived two footed into a tackle and received a deserved red card. Vics then easily saw the rest of the game out, and grabbed a third goal in the last minutes as Billy Whittle completed a trio of Vics headers after he was left free in the box after good combination work by Doran, substitute Darrhyl Mason and Joel Brownhill set him up.

Final Score : Vics 3 Runcorn Town 1

Manager's Steve Wilkes thoughts on the Game :
"A really good performance from every player. It's very difficult to single out any one player for special praise, as I think it's probably the most complete team performance we've produced this season. We need to hit those heights on a regular basis now.
We know that next Saturday's league game against Runcorn will be completely different.
Focus now turns to Wednesday's (14th Nov) game against Tranmere Rovers, as I know how much this competition ( The Cheshire Senior Cup) means to everyone connected to Northwich Victoria"

Up next for Vics’ is an HOME Cheshire Senior Cup tie Vs Tranmere Rovers on Wednesday 14th November with kick-off at 19.45