LINE-UP Vics’ -
Prior, Clarke, Cairns, Gardiner (Argent-Barnes 81’), Barlow, Hurst, Crane (Hayder 58’), Lloyd, Burey (Gamble 93’), Nyamwanzi (Jacaj 73’), Deering( Knight L 89’)

A draw was probably the right result in a match where Vics had the better of the few chances that there were for either team. Vics started off confidently with the returning Ben Crane and Sam Deering linking up well in the first 15 minutes. Indeed, the first real effort on goal was in the 14th minute as a free-kick was drilled in by Crane for Deering to flick narrowly wide of the post. A minute later, it was loanee Simba Nyamwanzi’s turn to go close as he curled a shot inches wide from 20 yards out. Although Vics were dominating possession, they weren’t creating much and Whitchurch’s defence was looking solid. Vics best chance came from a corner in the 40th minute which was swung into the near post for Will Lloyd to steal in unmarked and head agonisingly wide of the post.

HALF-TIME : Whitchurch Alport 0 Northwich Vics 0

Vics nearly took the lead in the 55th minute as Sam Deering chased down a long ball, cut inside and sent a swerving shot in at goal which Jack Sheward in the Alport net did extremely well to save with his legs. The match was becoming scrappy now with Alport taking over possession of the ball and pushing Vics back. However, as with Vics in the first half, they were creating not a lot and Vics’ defence was looking comfortable. Bower headed a Bishton cross over the bar and Lew Bloor skewed a shot well wide but they were the only efforts of note for Alport whilst Matty Clarke’s first time strike from the edge of the area was wide after good work from Will Lloyd for Vics. Vics were reduced to 10 men late on as Lloyd was sin-binned for disputing a free kick but Vics held out comfortably for a point in a match where defences dominated

FULL-TIME : Whitchurch Alport 0 Northwich Vics 0

Not the most exciting of matches but Vics will feel disappointed that they didn’t take one of the chances they had in the first half when they were well on top but will be pleased with a clean sheet, their first since the Boxing Day clash with 1874 Northwich.

Next Matches :

Tuesday 25th March Home v Atherstone Town 7.45pm
Saturday 29th March Home v Brocton 3.00pm