Northwich Victoria’s encouraging end to the season continued on Tuesday night as they recorded their third consecutive victory in the Midland Football League Premier Division.
Tonight, they bid to make it four in a row as they travel to Wolverhampton Casuals but first, here’s Peter Tonge’s full verdict on their 4-2 victory over Highgate United…
A QUIET start to the match, with Highgate having a couple of long-range shots – the first one went over the bar with the second going just past the far post – in the first 12 minutes.
Highgate did get the ball in the back of the net in the 18th minute, but the linesman correctly ruled offside.
Vics didn’t get their first proper chance until the 20th minute when Sam Lynch led a quick break down the left and put in a peach of a cross for Marcus Perry to put a diving header narrowly wide.
This spurred Vics on and they took the lead a minute later as Callum Parker curled in a superb effort into the back of the net, giving the keeper no chance.
Vics were getting on top now – Smith and Perry both had shots saved while Lynch had a half-volley well stopped after a great one-two with Perry.
Vics got the second goal they had threatened in the 33rd minute as Perry struck from the edge of the area after a corner, and the shot was slightly deflected into the net.
Vics kept pressing and nearly got a third before half time as Perry skinned a couple of players but his cross just failed to find the lurking Parker in front of goal. A superb first half for the Vics as they went in two up at the break.
Vics started the second half the same way they had finished the first – very much on top.
Will Lloyd had a left-footed drive just wide after he did well to win the ball, then it was that man Parker again as Anton Smith put in a cross and there he was to head the ball down and into the net in the 50th minute.
Highgate were struggling to get back in the match now, though they did have a fine volley just wide, and Smith did brilliantly to block a long distance shot but Vics were still controlling the match.
Well, they were until a rare mistake at the back allowed the ever-dangerous Ryan Harkin to pull one back for Highgate.
Adam Reid then made a ridiculous save to deny Highgate a second in the 68th minute as they sensed they were back in the game.
However, Vics soon reclaimed the ascendency and Parker slammed a shot wide after a free kick had rebounded to him before Perry had a shot just wide after a mistake at the back.
In the 86th minute, however, Highgate beat the offside trap and Williams tapped the ball home.
A nervous few minutes ahead, but Vics responded superbly and sealed the points with a fourth goal just two minutes later as Sam Unwin collected the ball down the left, drove into the box and curled a beauty into the corner of the net.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel