COMPETITION -FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
DATE - Saturday 6th August 2022
VENUE - The Brian Addison Stadium, Squires Gate

LINE-UP Vics’ -
Cheetham, Camozzi, Allen, Barski, Bennett, Whyte, Winder ( Avraam 75'), Jackson M ( Graham 65'), Dunn, Martin, Dudley
Un-used subs’ - McPherson, Khochtali, Sherlock

GOALS - : Squires Gate : Riley 62'
: Northwich Vics : Dunn 17', Barski 44'

A tale of two halves with Vics looking impressive in both but in totally different ways !

A splendid first half performance from the Vics from start to finish as they attacked with intent from beginning. A long range shot from the returning Martyn Jackson in the 5th minute which tested Pennington in the Gate net set the tone but it wasn't until the 17th minute that Vics took the lead. A long throw in from Bennett was only half cleared out to the waiting Ash Dunn on the edge of the area, he took one touch and drove it through a crowded penalty box into the corner of the net Three minutes later, Gate keeper Pennington was forced into a fine save from Ryan Winder , as Vics continued to press. Matt Dudley and Liam Martin both went close for Vics whilst Gate's best effort was in the 39th minute when a Theo Ball shot was well blocked by the Vics' defence. Vics finally got the second goal they deserved just before time, as they were awarded a rather dubious free kick when Harvey Whyte was deemed to have been fouled right on the edge of the area. Up stepped Brandon Barski to drive the free kick hard and low into the bottom corner .

HALF-TIME : Squires Gate 0 Northwich Vics 2

The second half was a complete turnaround with Gate coming out with a more attacking set up, and pushing Vics' back from the start. However, Vics coped fairly comfortably with the pressure restricting Gate to a few long shots, but they were penned in the own half for long periods. Gate did pull a goal back in the 63rd minute as Ryan Riley was allowed to run across the box evading 2 or 3 tackles before easily shooting the ball past Cheetham . A poor goal to concede after all the hard work of the previous 20 minutes. Gate were buoyed by this goal, and Pett went close with a header just 3 minutes later, whilst a minute after that, the same player forced Cheetham to parry a long range shot wide . However Vics managed to weather the storm , and slowly regained their composure and started regaining control of the match again. Captain Joe Camozzi went close for Vics as he played a one two with Avraam and stormed into the box but his strike was straight at the keeper. Gate, to their credit kept pushing but Vics were managing the match well now and there were no undue alarms as the match drew to its close.

FULL-TIME : Squires Gate 1 Northwich Vics 2

An excellent performance by the Vics, showing skill and attacking flair in the first half, and a dogged determination and team spiritness in the second half not to lose. Credit as well to our fantastic supporters who helped pull the Vics through to victory.

NEXT GAMES : LEAGUE : SATURDAY 13th AUGUST : Away at AFC Liverpool
LEAGUE :MONDAY 15th AUGUST : Away at Winsford United
FA CUP : SUNDAY 21st AUGUST : HOME v West Didsbury & Chorlton