LINE-UP Vics’ -
Mendes, Kandeke, Langley, Harrison, Fleming, Lloyd (Igoe 69’), Tanswell (Bott 58’) Abreu (Atkinson 79’), Cooke, Leitch-Smith ( Hamm 59’ )

Goals :
Northwich Vics : Fleming 21’
Hanley Town : Stubbs 30’

A match that Vics couldn’t afford to lose as first played second, and although Hanley were the better team, Vics stuck in there and defended stoutly to gain a valuable point even when not playing well.
Hanley started the better and forced a couple of chances in the first five minutes but it was Vics who tested Shorthouse in the Hanley net first when Fleming curled a shot goalwards which was well saved in the 11th minute. Hanley immediately went up the other end as Lewis Porter was put through one on one, but placed the ball wide of the goal. With the game opening up a bit now, it was Vics who took the lead after 21 minutes when Aaron Fleming broke the offside trap and raced onto a great through ball from the returning Abreu and slotted home with ease. Kyle Stubbs then volleyed over tha bar for Hanley as they pressed forward in search of an equaliser and it came in the 30th minute when they were awarded a dubious corner and Stubbs headed home at the far post. Both sides were battling now, and chances were far and few between with defences on top and the half finished level at one all.
Hanley should have taken the lead in the first minute of the second half as Mendes could only parry a long range shot from Twyford straight out to Lewis Porter who somehow put his effort wide. From hereon in, it was all Hanley with Vics struggling to get out of their half, and failing to string any passes together. However they were defending well with Harrison and Langley superb at the back limiting the number of chances for Hanley, helped by poor finishing. Stubbs had a free header over the top after 54 minutes as they piled the pressure on. In a rare attack by Vics, they will feel hard done by when a long ball into the Hanley area was won by Josh Langley who was then cleared out by the keeper and the referee awarded Hanley the free kick ! Hnaley were bombarding the Vics area with long throws and crosses but Vics kept defending resolutely putting bodies on the line to block shots and keep Hanley at bay. Tommy Van Der Laan should have done better with a header whilst Callum Middleton headed over from close range. Mendes saved well low down after 85 minutes whilst Hanley put another header over the bar in the final few minutes as they pushed for a winner without success.

FINAL SCORE : Northwich Vics 1 Hanley Town 1

Vics will have to play better than this if they are to get anything out of the season but will feel pleased to have not lost and that it was a point gained rather than two lost considering the performance.
Another big big game as they travel to Winsford United on Tuesday evening.