COMPETITION : Midland League Premier Division
DATE - Saturday 31st August 2024
VENUE - The Coppice, Solihull

LINE-UP Vics’ -
Culkin, Camozzi, Saunders, Faulkner, Hurst ( Kelly 57'), Perry ( Unwin 42’), Smith ( Switters 72'), Lloyd, Clarke, Russo, Parker (Djabi 63')
Subs Not used : Leeson

GOALS - Highgate Utd : Hayden 27' Pen, Sanusi 29'
Northwich Vics : Unwin 48'Pen, Djabi 90+2', Kelly 90+6'

Wow, Vics sure know how to put you through the wringer as they grab a deserved win though they left it very very late!

Vics started well, and were given an opportunity after just 3 minutes as the Highgate keeper, George Hardy came out and handled the ball just outside the area ! Red card? apparently not, not even a Yellow, just a free kick which was fired into the wall. Vics were dominating possession, and pressing forward. Faulkner headed straight at the keeper, Russo’s cross shot went just wide and Highgate didn’t have their first chance until the 15th minute as Hayden fired wide after a good ball into the box. Highgate then stunned Vics with 2 quick fire goals. Firstly their winger got the better of Joe Hurst and was brought down in the box. Penalty ! Olly Culkin making his debut in the Vics’ net managed to get hands to it, but couldn’t quite stop it going into the net. 3 minutes later, Tyree Sanusi cut in from the left for Highgate and fired a beauty into the top far corner of the net, giving Culkin no chance. Vics were stunned. Parker fired well over from a corner as Vics still had most of the ball but were struggling to find the right final pass.

HALF-TIME : Highgate Utd 2 Northwich Vics 0

A big second half required and they got the best possible start as Connor Russo cut into the box from the left, and was promptly brought down, and Sam Unwin, on for the injured Perry stepped up to send Hardy the wrong way. It was all Vics now. Parker put a looping shot over the bar and Harris Saunders headed wide from a corner as Vics pressed for the second goal. Highgate could hardly get out of their own half now. Jackson Kelly was causing Highgate problems down the left, and in the 66th minute he cut in and fired a shot in which was blocked and fell to Will Lloyd whose shot was also well blocked as Highgate defended resolutely. The pressure was mounting on the Highgate goal but time was running out, Kelly had a shot just wide, as did Lloyd before Vics were awarded an indirect free kick in the box as keeper Hardy was finally punished for blatant time wasting. Again, Highgate managed to block the shot as the ball was touched to Unwin. Deep into injury time now, Vics earnt a corner which fell to Camozzi, his powerful shot was pushed out by the keeper, rebounded to substitute Mamadou Djabi who smashed the ball through the crowd into the net to send both players and supporters wild. More to come though just 4 minutes later, Sam Unwin won the ball back and drove into he box, and laid the ball off for Kelly to gleefully smash the ball past Hardy. Cue wild celebrations !

FULL-TIME : Highgate Utd 2 Northwich Vics 3

Dominated the match, and well deserved the win though they left it very very late. Great debut by Harris Saunders at centre-back alongside Faulkner and young Jackson Kelly impressed when he came on, and of course was on hand to fire in the winner.

NEXT MATCHES:
SEPTEMBER 3rd v AFC WULFRUNIANS Away 7.45pm Midland League
SEPTEMBER 7th v ROMULUS Home 3.00pm Midland League