LINE-UPVics’ -
Taberner, Camozzi, Barski, Kenny, Fleming, ( Wilson 36") Whyte, Grundy,( Toner 71'), Clarke , Winder , Crowther ( Connolly 78'), Kilifin,
Un-used subs’ - Witton, FitzGerald

Bookings : None

GOALS - Northwich Vics : Winder 66'

A match between the 4th and 3rd placed teams from last season was always going to be a close nervous affair, and so it proved as the Vics just edged out Congleton Town.
Congleton shaded the first half and started brightly as they earned a corner after 4 minutes which produced a fine double save by Danny Taberner from a flick header by Saul Henderson. Vics' first chance came after 7 minutes when a fine ball in from the left by Tom Kilifin made it's way somehow to the onrushing Harvey Whyte but the ball ricocheted into the keepers arms. 14 minutes in, and Congleton earned a free kick as Henderson was brought down on the edge of the area, but Main's shot was just over the bar.. After 25 minutes, a lovely through ball put Saul Henderson through on goal for Congleton, but Taberner reacted quickly to get down and smother the ball just before the striker could get there. Probably Congleton's best chance came after 31 minutes when the winger found himself free on the right side of the box and laid the ball across to the onrushing Emini Adegbenro, but the striker fluffed his chance and miscued his shot wide of the goal. Vics were failing to put passes together, and Whyte was reduced to having a speculative 35 yarder which was easily saved by Ellison in the Bears' goal.

HALF-TIME : Vics 0 Congleton Town 0

Again, as last Saturday Vics came out with more purpose in the second half, with Ryan Winder in particular getting onto the ball more . But it wasn't until the 63rd minute that an opening was created as Matty Clarke released Tom Kilifin down the left, and he easily outpaced his man and fired a shot which went just inches wide of the far post . Kilifin was at it again a couple of minutes later, as Harvey Whyte found him with room, this time on the right of the box, and again he easily slipped past his man, and struck a shot which forced a good save for a corner from the Congleton keeper. The resulting corner caused panic in the Congleton defence , before it was hacked out for another corner, which was headed clear but the ball was recycled well by Vics and worked to the left hand side. Ryan Winder then picked the ball up wide and cut back in , holding off his marker, and struck a wonderful strike from 25 years into the near corner of the net past the despairing dive of the keeper . Congleton tried to respond but were being restricted to having long range shots which didn't trouble Taberner. Indeed, Vics nearly extended their lead when a quick free kick found Clarke in space on the right edge of the box, but his powerful effort scraped the top of the bar.. Congleton were unlucky on 78 minutes when a snapshot by Henderson deflected off a defender, and looped over Taberner but the bar came to his rescue and the free ball was cleared upfield. Vics then easily held out for the final few minutes to record a fine win against a team they lost twice to last season.

FULL-TIME - Vics 1 Congleton Town 0

Vics’ MOM - Ryan Winder

Next matches :
Saturday 10th August : Home versus Silsden 3.00pm kick off ( FA Cup)
Saturday 17th August : Home versus Skelmersdale Utd 3.00pm kick off ( League)