Newcastle Benfield 2 Northwich Vics 3

COMPETITION : FA Vase 4th Round. VENUE : Sam Smiths Stadium, Newcastle. DATE : Saturday 5th January

ATTENDANCE : 360
LINE UP- VICS : Taberner, Camozzi, Barski, FitzGerald, Monson, Whyte ( Craig 85’) Clarke, Cooke, Brownhill (Darr 86’) , Mason, Doran (Matthews 73’)
Unused subs : Kenny, Whittle

GOALS : Newcastle Benfield : Turnbull 73’ Knight 83’
Northwich Vics : Brownhill 15’ Whyte 29’ Clarke 36

Northwich Vics made it through to the 5th Round of the FA Vase, after a tremendous first half display against Newcastle Benfield.Vics took the lead after just 15 minutes when a rushed clearance from Benfields keeper found its way to the feet of Joel Brownhill just inside the Benfield half , and he promply fired a superb shot back into the net, a worldie. Vics were dominating the match, and it was no surprise when after 27 minutes, Vics extended their lead as a good move found Rob Doran out wide on the right and his cross found Harvey Whyte in the middle to put Vics two up. Just 7 minutes later, Harvey Whyte turned provider for Matty Clarke to loop a header past the Benfield keeper. Benfield were rocked, but nearly got back into the match just before half time when Jake Orwell smashed a shot that hit the bar, and bounced clear.
Half time : Newcastle Benfield 0 Northwich Vics 3
Benfield started the second half with more determination and had most of the ball without really troubling Vics early on. However after 59 minutes, Danny Taberner had to be at his best to deny Jake Orrell. Vics still looked comfortable but Benfield managed to get a goal back after 73 minutes when slack defending allowed Mark Turnbull space to fire past Taberner. Vics tried to respond and Brian Matthews fed Brownhill whose shot was well saved by Grainger in the Benfield net. next it’s was Vics keeper, Taberner who had to pull off a diving save to keep out a rasping shot from Dennis Knight.4 minutes later, it’s was Knight’s great run and shot which brought Benfield really back into the game, leading to an anxious last 10 minutes for the Vics. As Benfield pusahed forward for the equaliser, Vics broke and Matthews nearly put the game beyond doubt , but Grainger denied him. In the last minute of normal time, Benfield got in behind the Vics defence but their shot slid agonisingly wide of the Vics goal. Close.
FINAL SCORE : Newcastle Benfield 2 Northwich Vics 3

Steve Wilkes View : “ I don’t think we’ve played better all season than we did in the first half. We went in 3-0 up but it could have been four or five to be honest, and the game plan couldn’t have gone any better. I said to the players at half time that it was probably one of the hardest team talks I’ve ever had to do, as we had played so well in the first half. We gave away.a terrible goal to let them back into it, and it lifted the crowd, then they scored again with just over 10 minutes to go.We should have scored a couple in the second half ourselves.Brian Matthews had two chances in the last five minutes to kill the game.
But to come to Newcastle Benfield, who hadn’t been beaten since October, and to win 3-2 is a great result. We prepared right, went up to watch them at Guisborough last week, and I had my boys in on New Years Day. We trained at 12 o’clock and ran them ragged until 1pmI’m not sure any other team will have been in on New Years Day and we trained on Thursday as well. When we watched them (Benfield) we looked for areas where we could exploit them, and we identified that their left back likes to play high up the pitch and doesn’t always get back as quickly as he should. the first goal came from the keepers clearance who was covering for him, and the other two goals have come from crosses in the left back area, and II think it’s been our preparation that has got us over the line, to be honest.
I have to say that the fans today have been absolutely unbelievable, and I am not just saying that as a manager trying to get on the side of the fans. I think there were about 130 Vics fans here and I think it has been a fantastic day for the football club.
It was a great win and we are now in the last 16 of a national competition.We can’t wait for the draw on Monday now, and of course it’s great that our fellow league rivals Irlam won as well.”
.