Pete Tonge reflects on Northwich Victoria's 4-1 home win against Irlam on Tuesday night...

 

A game in which Vics dominated throughout, and the result never looked in doubt once the first goal went in.

The second half display was probably the best of the season so far.

Vics started on the front foot, forcing two corners in the first three minutes, while a long throw from Bennett caused chaos in the Irlam box with the ball falling to Harvey Whyte whose shot from 10 yards out was straight at the keeper.

Brandon Barski had to be alert in the eighth minute as he made a great last-ditch tackle to prevent Ebe Mbachu having a shot, while two minutes later Irlam's dangerman John Main dragged a shot wide when well placed.

Irlam then forced two corners in succession followed by a shot from the edge of the area which was deflected away for yet another corner.

This was Irlam's best spell of the game.

However, Vics coped well with the pressure and nearly went ahead in the 26th minute when a powerful Ryan Jackson free-kick was turned round the post by keeper Goodwin.

Matty Birchall fired a shot in after 34 minutes which Goodwin also pushed round the post for a corner, from which Roman Allen couldn't get enough power on his header to trouble Goodwin.

Next it was Chris Cheetham in the Vics' goal who saved well from a powerful Main strike, before Goodwin dilly dallied on the ball in the 38th minute and when pressed by Ryan Jackson was mightily lucky to see his clearance rebound off Jackson back into his arms when it could have gone anywhere.

However the keeper did come to Irlam's rescue in the last minute of the half as he made a great save to deny a Whyte shot.

HALF-TIME: Northwich Vics 0 Irlam 0

Vics didn't take long to get the goal that had been denied them in the first half as Matty Birchall did brilliantly to head back a ball which looked to be going out of play at the far post, to set up Ryan Jackson to fire gleefully into the net.

Vics nearly extended their lead in the 54th minute as a Bennett corner looked to have crossed the line but the referee waved play on, but in the next minute, a period of pinball in the Irlam box was ended as Ash Dunn stole in to slam the ball into the net to give Vics a two-goal lead.

Vics relaxed a bit and paid the price in the 68th minute when Kaiden Barlow was allowed to run with the ball from midfield, check back and strike a 25-yard shot into the corner of the net.

However, Vics didn't panic and it wasn't long before they restored their two-goal lead as  a corner was whipped in by Bennett which Goodwin pushed out to Birchall who made no mistake from12 yards.

The icing on the cake came in the 87th minute as substitute Kuda Chingwaro broke free of the defence, sat the keeper down and slipped the ball into the empty net.

There was still time for Damola Sotona to curl a shot just wide of the post in the last minute before the referee blew her whistle. 

An excellent performance from the Vics to give them confidence as they go into two important matches over the Christmas period.

A special mention to Ryan Jackson and Alex Bennett, who were both outstanding. 

Match facts:

Northwich Victoria 4 Irlam 1

North West Counties Premier Division

At the U Lock It Stadium

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 

Vics: Cheetham,  Camozzi (Clarke M 83') ,  Allen , Barski, Bennett, Jackson R (Chingwaro 79'), Dunn (Mather 83'),  Walker, Whyte, Birchall (Martin  79'), Dudley (Sotona 86').

GOALS: Northwich Vics: Jackson R 49', Dunn 56', Birchall 75', Chingwaro 87'. Irlam: Barlow 68'

NEXT MATCH:

LEAGUE: Monday 26th December, home v Congleton Town, 2pm