Pete Tonge reflects on Northwich Victoria’s 1-1 draw at high-flying Brocton…

A THOROUGHLY entertaining game today, with Vics defending resolutely and breaking dangerously against free-scoring Brocton.

Vics made a positive start to the match with Jack Coop having a shot blocked within three minutes after a free kick from Marcus Perry had found him in the box.

However, the pattern of the match settled down to Brocton doing most of the pressing while Vics looked to break quickly using the wings well.

Sam Unwin did well in the 12th minute down the left and dinked a great ball into the far post but Brocton keeper Allsopp claimed the ball just before the waiting Coop.

A minute later, only a great block by a Vics defender denied Brocton the opening goal as a Blanchette cross found Will Whieldon in space in front of goal.

Vics were being pushed back a bit now but they defended well and restricted Brocton to efforts from distance. which were either well blocked or off target.

Vics should have gone ahead in the 23rd minute as Unwin again skinned his marker down the left and sent a delightful cross in for Matty Clarke who headed over the bar from close range.

Brocton immediately threatened again though and Blanchette hit the bar after cutting inside and striking a powerful shot from 20 yards out.

A few minutes later, Brocton again struck the crossbar, this time King hitting a curling shot from an angle.

It was Vics who eventually took the lead as Perry jinked and turned in the box causing his man to bring him down.

It was Perry himself who stepped up to fire the resultant penalty into the net.

The match then became even more end to end, as Vics’ keeper Kier Barry tipped a Whieldon free kick over the bar.

The resultant corner then caused a bit of panic in the Vics area, but resolute defending blocked the danger as bodies were put on the line.

Just before the half-time break, Coop found himself free of the Brocton defence and hooked the ball over the onrushing keeper but couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Vics were defending deep but looked a threat on the break and had a couple of chances early on in the new half.

Unwin earned a corner after more good work down the left, Vics played it short and Unwin burst into the area near the byline, but his shot was deflected over the bar while a minute later, a ball found Coop just inside the area, he cut back inside onto his right foot, but couldn’t get his shot away.

Vics were defending well while Brocton were willing to shoot on sight, but mostly off target, as they piled on the pressure.

Whielden fired over in the 67th minute, but a minute later Brocton equalised as Thomas fired a great strike low into the corner of the net giving Barry no chance.

A big 20 minutes or so now for both teams and either team could have snatched a winner.

Blanchette shot just over the bar for Brocton while Connor Russo did well down the right and his low cross was well put out for a corner just before Parker could get there for the tap in.

As the game approached 90 minutes, a mixture of Barry and the Vics’ defence somehow managed to keep out close-range shots from Payne, Smith and Blanchette in quick succession.

Brocton were piling the pressure on now, Smith fired over when well placed while more defiant defending denied Brocton at the near post after a corner.

However the best chance fell to Vics, as three minutes into injury time, Russo found the overlapping Sam Ogundare who laid the ball back for Callum Parker to run on to, but he slammed his shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

There was still time for Barry to save brilliantly from another Smith effort to give the Vics a well-deserved point.

A fair result in the end in a match that was a credit to both teams.

Match facts:

Brocton 1 Northwich Victoria 1

Midland League Premier Division

Saturday 19th October 2024

At Silkmore Lane, Brocton

Vics: Barry, Russo, Saunders, Faulkner (Camozzi 55’), Hurst, Perry, Lloyd (Ogundare 74’), Switters (Smith 59’), Clarke, Unwin (Kelly 64’) Coop (Parker 59’).

Goals: Brocton: Thomas 68’. Vics: Perry 34’ (pen)

Next match: Tuesday, v Uttoxeter Town, away, 7.45pm, Midland League Cup