Vics 1 City of Liverpool 2

COMPETITION - North West Counties Premier Division.

DATE - Wednesday 11th August 2018.

VENUE -Wincham Park, Northwich

Vics’ line-up - Neild , Shinks, Barski, Kenny, Monson , Whittle (Whittington 87), Craig, Cooke (C) Brownhill, Doran, Connolly ( McDonald 77’)
Un-used subs’ - Rory Gorman, Liam Bickett , Ayres

Unavailable for Vics’ - Matty Clarke (leg), Brian Matthews (ankle), Billy Webb (thigh), John Bennett (cruciate ligament) - out for 6 more months minimum. 

GOALS - Vics’ - Dom Craig 40’

CofL - Jamie McDonald 19’, Joseph Holt 78’

Att: 298

The game started brightly with both teams playing the ball around nicely, but it was Vics claiming the first chance after 5minutes when John Connolly whipped a dangerous free kick in which the CofL keeper couldn’t hold under pressure from Robert Doran, but the defence came to his rescue. CofL then earned a corner after good work down the left, and should have scored after a hesitation in the Vics defence. They then forced Ryan Neild into a good save after 13minutes from a shot, but Vics were beginning to have the best of the play now. John Connolly forced the keeper into a poor clearance which went straight to Brad Cooke, but c of L’s glove man managed to recover to save the resulting shot down to his right. however it was City of Liverpool who struck first as a routine shot from Jamie McDonald was allowed through Ryan Neild s hands and it trickled into the net. Vics continued to play the ball around nicely though, although it was set pieces which saw them at their most dangerous, as a Rob Doran free kick just went wide of the post from 30yards. CofL were still dangerous though as a shot from a corner was blocked by Dom Craig. Vics earned their reward for their dominance in the 40th minute as a long ball forward was well controlled by Robert Doran on the left on the box, and he managed to square a pass across the box to where Dom Craig was waiting to pass the ball into the net for a deserved equaliser.

HALF-TIME - Vics 1 CofL 1

The second half began with C of L on the offensive, and Ryan Neild had to react quickly when CofL’s striker Craig Cairns was sent through. After 55minutes, Vics broke quickly after a spell of pressure , and Rob Doran earned a free kick which John Connolly just curled wide of the post. Vics were now having their period of pressure, and Billy Whittle had a header cleared after a brilliant cross from Anthony Shinks, and the loose ball was then whipped into the box by Kirtis Monson but Doran’s header went over the bar. Vics created another chance after 61 minutes when Rob Doran headed down a cross which fell to Kieron Kenny whose poked shot was well saved by the CofL keeper. the game now became a little quieter now with City of Liverpool doing most of the pressing , and they took the lead after 78 minutes, when good play down their left led to the ball being played into the box, where Ryan Neild was forced into a great save but the rebound fell straight to Joseph Holt who stuck the ball into the net from 5 yards out. Vics tried to respond but City of Liverpool held out for a 2-1 victory.

Full time : Vics 1 City of Liverpool 2

Vics’ MOM - Kirtis Monson as chosen by our sponsors Hunters Gin

Up next for Vics’ is an AWAY FA Cup match Vs Widnes FC on Saturday 11th August - This tie to be played at Barnton FC, Townfield Lane, Barnton, kick-off is at 15.00.