Northwich Vics 3 Irlam 3

COMPETITION -North West Counties Premier Division.
DATE - Wednesday 25th September 2019.
VENUE - Wincham Park, Northwich.

LINE-UP Vics’ -
Taberner, Henry ( Grundy 22'), Wilson , Barski, Vinten, Whyte, Camozzi, Winder, Kilifin ( Henderson 65'), Reed, Greenop
Un-used subs’ - Doran, FitzGerald

Bookings : None

GOALS - Northwich Vics : Kilifin 27' Reed 30' 53'
Burscough : Meredith 12' Pollitt 74', Ledson 77'

Irlam fought back to grab a draw after Vics had stormed into a 3 - 1 lead.

Vics were on the front foot from the off, following on from Saturday's convincing performance against Burscough and forced a corner in the first minute which was drilled into the middle by Ryan Winder but evaded all the Vics' attackers. However it was Irlam who had the first big chance of the night after just 5 minutes, when centre back Ryan Ledson strode forward and struck a fiercely hit shot which Danny Taberner did well to push away for a corner. In the 11th minute, Tom Kilifin lead a quick counter, and laid the ball across for Harvey Whyte, but his shot was well blocked. Irlam took the lead in the 12th minute, as they earned a free kick 25 yards out, and Dylam Merdith stepped up and smached an unstoppable shot in the top right corner. Seven minutes later, and it could have been 2 for Irlam, as Liam Pollitt broke down the right and crossed the ball for Jordan Southworth to strike a shot just wide of the post when well placed. Vics drew level after 27 minutes, when Tom Kilifin took advantage of a slight mix up at the back for Irlam, and struck a sweet shot from 20 yards past White in their goal. Three minutes later and Vics were in front after a sweeping move from the back, found Ben Greenop in midfield, and Jamie Reed raced onto his perfect through ball and he finished off well past White. Vics were on top now, and a couple of minutes later, Jamie Reed beat his man yet again down the left side of the area, and laid a lovely ball back across the box for the incoming Harvery Whyte, but his placed shot went just wide. Moments later, and Reed was at it again, as he skinned his defender and crossed the ball for Martin Grundy on the edge of the area but his shot was straight at the keeper. 3 minutes later, Reed again beat his man all ends up, and crossed for Ben Greenop whose shot struck the post and was cleared. Irlam had just about weathered the storm, and nearly got back on level terms in the 41st minute, as Jordan Icely's well struck effort hits the bar. Then in the final minute of the half, they thought they had equalised as Liam Pollitt's effort at goal was brilliantly tipped round the post by Taberner.

HALF-TIME : Vics 2 Irlam 1

Vics again started the second brightly, and increaded their lead in the 53rd minute as the irrepressible Jamie Reed beat the offside trap, and calmly slotted the ball past White to give the Vics a 3 - 1 advantage. Then came the match changing moment in the 70th minute as Irlam made a triple substitution , and Vics were beginning to tire . Immediately, Taberner had to make a great diving save to deny Perry, but he had no chance in the 74th minute as Liam Pollitt struck an absolute thunderbolt into the top of the net to top off some serious pressure from Irlam. Three minutes later , they were level as they earned a corner which was powerfully headed home by Ryan Ledson after he was left free in the box! It was Vics, who nearly grabbed the winner though, as in the 86th minute, the ball reached Greenop in space at the far post , he controlled the ball well but his shot was well blocked by the keeper.

FULL-TIME - Northwich Vics 3 Irlam 3

Vics’ MOM - Jamie Reed