Vics in thrilling 4-3 win over Barnoldswick

COMPETITION - Hallmark Security League VENUE - Silentnight Stadium, Barnoldswick DATE - Monday 1st April 2019.
Attendance - 134

LINE-UP - VICS : Taberner, Camozzi, Barski, Grimshaw, Fleming (Clarke 88') , Whyte , Ennis, Craig, Whittle , Connolly (FitzGerald 72'), Darr (Brownhill 80')
Un-used sub - Scott, Mason

GOALS -
Barnoldswick : Hill 23' Dale 45' 66'
Vics : Connolly 19', Whittle 29' Barski 59' Ennis 90+5'

RED CARDS
Barnoldswick : Hill 80' Crorken 88'
Vics : Grimshaw 70'

Wow, what a match, a game that had a little ( or quite a lot in some cases) of everything sprinkled over the 90 minutes. Vics didn't look like aside suffering from a FA Vase hangover , and started the match quickly , forcing the pace from the off, playing some quick attacking football which was pleasing on the eye. After just 2 minutes, Jordan Darr put a header just over the bar, and then a minute later, newcomer Paul Ennis played a through ball to John Connolly but his shot hit the side netting. Vics finally took a deserved lead after 19 minutes when a poor clearance from the Barlick defence allowed a cross in from the right which was inch perfect for John Connolly to head easily past Livesey in ther Barlick net. However this seemed to wake Barnoldswick up, and their quick slick passing was causing problems for Vics and Danny Taberner had to be at his best to tip over a Kershaw shot. In the 23rd minute, a short corner for Barnoldswick led to Hill firing a shot ( or was it a cross?) into the top far corner of the net to bring the scores level. Barlick were well in the game now, and Tabbs was again forced to make a wonderful save, tipping the ball over the bar from a Morgan header. However, just a minute later, Jordan Darr squared the ball to the edge of the area where Billy Whittle expertly curled the ball into the net to restore Vics' lead . It was now end to end stuff, and Tabbs again had to alert to deny Zack Dale as he was sent through the middle. It wasn't until the stroke of half time that the next goal came, as again Vics were caught wide open down the middle again, and Zack Dale this time made no mistake as he fired past Taberner.

HALF-TIME - Barnoldswick T 2 Northwich Vics 2

The second half started as the first hald ended, with both teams playing good attacking football. Jack Fleming forced a great save from Livesey from a 25 yard free kick, which was heading into the bottom left corner. Vics retook the lead after 59 minutes, when a short corner led to a scramble in the box, and Brandon Barski was on hand to turn and expertly turn the ball into the net. Again Vics' lead didn't last long , as a few minutes later, as Zack Dale fired a shot from the left side of the area into the net. A few minutes later, the drama continued as Matt Grimshaw as alleged to have committed an off the ball trip as Barlick were attacking and was shown the red card. However, Barnoldswick themselves didn't have long to take advantage of the numerical supremacy, as Andy Hill deliberately handled the ball to stop a quick Northwich break, and was shown his second yellow card of the evening to even up the numbers again. More drama after 86 minutes as Barnoldswick's Kershaw, picked up a loose ball and smashed a shot against the crossbar with Taberner beaten. Two minutes later, another Red card as Dominic Craig robbed Crorken in the middle of the park, and was promptly brought down by him to stop the quick break and earn himself his marching orders . The match and the drama wasn't finished yet as Matty Clarke played a great Crossfield pass over to Harvey Whyte, who laid the ball off to Paul Ennis , who struck a thunderbolt from 25 yards out which screamed into the back of the net . Even the Ref couldn't stand any more drama, and he promptly blew the final whistle.

FULL TIME - Barnoldswick T 3 Northwich Vics 4

What a game ! 7 Goals, 3 Red Cards , plenty of good attacking football , great saves and despite the Red cards never a "dirty" game. A credit to non-league football

Vics’ boss Steve Wilkes’ post-match verdict on the seven goal thriller -
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" What a game that was. I’m so pleased for the players and happy with the way we’ve reacted after Saturdays defeat. To bounce back after losing in an FA Vase semi final with THE last kick to winning tonight with THE last kick shows an unbelievable strength in character. We changed the front 6 from Saturday and the players that came in played really well. Special mentions to Dominic Craig, John Connolly and Paul Ennis. Dom’s been a major part of our success this season and has been disappointed not to have played more recently, but his professionalism and attitude has been second to none. Everyone knows the qualities Connolly has in his locker and after being injured for close to 4 months, he’s slowly beginning to regain his confidence. Paul Ennis’s strike for the winning goal last night was incredible. He’s only trained with us for a while and due to the F.A Vase run, tonight was his first game. Not only did he score a wonder goal, but his all round game of linking the play up with people was what impressed me the most. We now move onto to Litherland on Wednesday night, where the 3pts are once again massively important. Final word to the travelling fans who made the long journey tonight. I’m running out of things to say about our supporters. To see so many after Saturdays heartbreak; shows that this club is once again, going in the right direction."

Next Home Game : Hallmark Security League : SUNDAY 7th April 2019 v Burscough 3.00pm kick off.