LINE-UP Vics’ -
Mendes, Hurst (Sutton 52’), Harrison, Davis, Kandeke, Atkinson (Eme 69’), Clark, Potter ( Cooke 52’), Abreu, Lloyd (Gill 75’), Djabi (Deering 75’)

Goals: Northwich Vics : Djabi 49’, 70’, Cooke 65’, Eme 87’, Deering 90+1’)

A scrappy first half , then 5 goals in the second half as Vics were dominant once the first goal went in.

The first half proved to be a scrappy affair and fairly even though Vics created the most of the few chances there were. Both sides had their first shots in the first two minutes, both of which were well blocked. Will Lloyd then forced Highgate keeper Spike Whitehouse into a great save as he unleashed a volley goalwards after the ball had been flicked on to him by Mama Djabi. Lloyd then had another shot in the 20th minute just over the bar. Vics were pressing more now, but Highgate were defending stoutly with Whitehouse making great saves when Vics did get through the defence and it was stalemate at half time

HALF-TIME : Highgate Utd 0 Northwich Vics 0

Vics came roaring out at the start of the second half as Ryan Atkinson had a great chance in the first minute but fired straight at Whitehouse when well placed. Atkinson, then shot wide and Abreu had a low shot well saved in the next 2 minutes before Vics scored the vital first goal in the 49th minute. Ryan Atkinson won the ball back near the edge of the area, fired a shot in which was initially saved, but Djabi reacted quickest to put home the rebound. Highgate did have a big chance to equalise just 5 minutes later as Chalal flicked a header from a Ward cross just inches past the post. This was about as good as it got for Highgate though, as Vics dominated the rest of the half but it took until the 65th minute for them to ease any nerves with a second goal. Jefferson Abreu raced down the left, beat his man and crossed beautifully for Sean Cooke to score with a great stooping header. 5 minutes later, it was three as a long throw from the right found Djabi at the near post and he flicked his header past the keeper. Sam Deering then forced Whitehouse into another fine save with a powerful effort after being played in by Matty Clarke. It was all Vics in the final ten minutes, Kandeke got into the box but fired over from a tight angle before substitute Zeke Eme scored on his debut with a fine shot into bottom corner after 87 minutes. There was still time for another substitute , Sam Deering to score in injury time as he battled through a couple of tackles and powered a low shot in at the near post to make it five.

FULL-TIME : Highgate Utd 0 Northwich Vics 5

The scoreline maybe slightly hard on Highgate as they faded in the second half after a scrappy and low quality first half. However, Vics pressed hard and once the first goal had gone in, there was no doubt about the result with numerous chances being created by Vics and in the end the score was kept down only by some heroics from keeper Whitehouse.

Next Matches : Tuesday 9th September away at Stone Old Alleynians
Saturday 13th September home v Stourport Swifts