COMPETITION NorthWest Counties Premier Division
DATE - Monay 26th December 2022
VENUE - The U Lock It Stadium
LINE-UP Vics’ -
Cheetham, Camozzi, Allen , Barski, Bennett, Jackson R), Mather, Walker, Whyte, Birchall ( Chingwaro 75'), Dudley

Subs Not Used : Clarke, Sotona, Cooney

GOALS - : Northwich Vics : Dudley 13'
Congleton T : Hartshotn 8' Read 90+3'

After an even first half, Congleton stepped up in the second, and it was only Chris Cheetham's brilliance which kept Vics in the game until last minute heartbreak.

Town had the first chance of the half as Tom Pope got on the end of a cross but headed over the bar after just 5 minutes, but this was quickly followed by Vics' first chance after Dudley found Birchall with a first time flick, but his shot curled just wide of the left post. Congleton then went ahead a minute later, as a corner was whipped in , and headed home by Ethan Hartshorn. However , Vics weren't behind for long . In the 13th minute, Matty Birchall exquisitely found Matt Dudley's run into the area, and he beautifully slid the ball past Parton in the Town net. The match then settled down to what proved an even first half. Ryan Jackson had a potshot saved comfortably by Parton whilst Harvey Whyte's effort was blocked for a corner after being set up by Birchall. Congleton threatened a couple of times as well with their best effort falling to Tom Pope late in the half.

HALF-TIME : Northwich Vics 1 Congleton T 1

After an even first half, the second half definitely belonged to Town as they at times laid siege to the Vics' goal. In the 53rd minute, Chris Cheetham was forced into 3 magnificent saves, Firstly he pushed a shot bound for the top corner away , then got down well to block a shot from close range before getting a hand to a long range angled shot to tip the ball just past the post. Outstanding keeping. 3 minutes later, Town did get the ball in the net, but it was quite rightly ruled out for a handball in the build up. Cheetham then pulled off another great double save, firstly from Hartshorn then the follow up from Jones-Griffiths. After 68 minutes, Town thought they had a penalty as Williams went down in the area, but the referee rightly waved play on. though Town's manager Richard Duffy thought otherwise and was sent from the bench for his protests.
Vics looked to have weathered the storm now, and were getting back in the match and in the 77th minute, there was a moment of pinball in the Town box, with Vics going close with efforts from Ryan Jackson and Kuda Chingwaro. However Town hadn't given up, and from a dubious free kick in the 93rd minute, they played it deep to the far post where Ryan Read headed past Cheetham to give Town the lead. There was still time for Chingwaro to fire a shot straight at Parton when well placed, but Town ran out deserved winners.

FULL-TIME : Northwich Vics 1 Congleton T 2

Ather an even first half, Vics never really got going in the second, and it was only the heroics of keeper Chris Cheetham that denied Town for so long.

NEXT MATCH : FRIDAY 30th DECEMBER v BURY AFC at HOME ( Wincham Park) 7.45pm kick off