8th September 2017 - Northwich Victoria 3 v 4 Stockport Town - A busy period of footballing fixes continued with an end of week jaunt down to Townfield to watch 2 North West Counties clubs take part in the 1st qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Vase. The weather forecast was swung towards the side of 'wank' but after a defiant sunny afternoon hopes were high of a clement climate gracing our pitchside presence. We set off early due to the nature of the potentially constipated roadways and with my wife at the wheel and my skanky nattering away, we arrived at the ground in pretty decent time. A cup of tea and a chip nibble were indulged in as we sat and nattered and perused the events programme. I had been starved of many goals of late with several encounters being shy of net rippling action - would tonight alter this trend?
The teams entered, the black laden man of authority blew, the match began. Early possession was had by the visiting pack with a searching cross in that was nutted by a zealous bod (Tyler Devlin) who only found the side netting. The Vics came back with their whizzing No 11 (Sam Marshall) winning a throw in which was duly tossed to No 10 (Brian Matthews) who sent in a cross that found No 9's (Yaw Gyimah) crust but again, the ball was off target. A good flourish came from the hosts, Gyimah connected with a corner but blasted over, sending a warning out to any low flying owls - beware oh feathered hunters, there's a loose foot about! The counterpunch at the other end was a free-kick that No 9 (Ben Halfacre) duly struck, what a ruddy stinker it turned out to be and I apologise to anyone who witnessed this for rekindling these terrible memories. A fast break came the Trickies way, a brace of stunning balls saw Marshall go on a forward surge and break free. He picked his spot and let fly, the ball was disappointingly dragged wide of the far post but, this was the best chance thus far in a quite captivating contest.
As the home squad looked to be taking charge they switched off in several areas, the Lions came down the flanks, a fine cross followed and Tyler Edwards popped up at the back post and side-foot volleyed between the uprights - 0-1 and what a dazzling goal. Moments later another cross came, Edwards again was the recipient, crikey he was mighty unlucky not to double his own, and his teams tally. A laser free-kick was given in return, the slightest epidermal layer of a rising bonse made contact, the ball continued its trajectory and it was with great disappointment that the in-rushing No 4 (Conor Downes) didn't make contact at the last and get this game back to parity. Despite being primarily on the back foot the NV crew were running well and having the odd glimpse of goal but the final assassins touch was lacking and a few decisions by the ref were not falling their way. Take nothing away from The Lions though, this was a great stint and moments after contemplating their applaudable labour another fine chance was cultivated but No 10 (James Hinchcliffe) was over generous with his hoof and sent the ball just above the bar. I expected the next strike to come the visitors way but NV reversed the pressure and after No 10 (Brain Matthews) had a wild swing fly high and Gyimah was just stopped from sneaking in and pinching glory the latter player caused havoc in the box and was given the equalising goal although I am sure it was an own goaI. I best get these ruddy bins back to the opticians, shite, my willy may be smaller than I think!
This was cracking action with both units hammering away and late in the half, a good long ball found Vic's No 10, who sadly rushed his effort and struck wide just squandering the chance to go into the break 1 goal to the good. A streaking response came via the blazing pegs of Town's Conor Downes, the run was indicative of a man possessed and when he unleashed a shot one expected the net to burst into flames and merry celebratory Hell to follow. Alas the rotten sod fired right across goal. What a shame! The ref blew to end a belting game and we two observers tootled off for a crucial brew.
We slurped our tea and moved to the opposite side of the ground with a few travelling stalwarts who watched the Heaven's open and a damn awful deluge pour forth. The teams came back out into the filthy weather (tis good for the soul lads) and the game recommenced.
As in the first half the early pressure came from The Town, No 11 (Ruben Abreu) was a constant slippery menace but the first chance came the way of Halfacre who got his lofted bonse on a cross ball from Downes but was too charitable with the contact and the ensuing save was all too easy. The Lions were hunting in a pack now, sterling work and all uphill and into the drifting needles of rain. No 7 (Matty Clarke) had the next punt that was deflected wide but, from a good corner the defensive doofers were found dozing and Andrew Fitzgerald wandered in at his leisure and tupped home to bring up a very justified lead. Again the guests came, with Abreu on fire and duly dinking, dribbling and causing all kinds of rear end consternation (no, that is not a sexual complaint) for the home birds. Northwich Victoria had to call on sunken reservoirs of resistance, they did, Joshua Kavanagh connected after some good edge-of-box movement - he was denied by a top drawer save. Good work mittman.
The hunger of the Stockport team was insatiable but the Vics snuck in a corner and cultivated some goalmouth chaos, the ball was cleared and a rapid break came. Abreu was involved again and the ball eventually fell to Aaron Dwyer who struck into the far corner and added icing to an already well-filled cake. A flashing strike, a deserved scoreline, what a performance. Northwich Victoria were now in the realms of shit or bust, in desire we trust Stockport were irresistible tonight and their whole attitude was exemplified when Tyler Edwards ran the flanks, cut in, bobbed, weaved, dazzled and deceived and wouldn't give up the chase. He nearly made it to goal laden Utopia but was denied by two huffing defenders who breathed a sigh of relief to see the trouble quelled - stunning effort. Suddenly we had a delay, a niggling injury and some backchat. Out of the respite a flashing run came, the Lions came in a tidal wave and Dwyer eventually lashed out with a shot. A deflection was had, the ball looped and over the keepers head it dropped - the scoreline was now 4 - 1 - all pre-match predictions were surely ruined. The hosts now strove to address the embarrassment, a shot by No 5 (Reece Lyndon) produced another top drawer save but seconds later the same keeper was beaten by a spot kick after the ball was put in again, the post was clanged and a handball came. Brian Matthews stepped up and converted the penalty with ease. Another great ball was thrown in by the NV machine, Matthews was through, The Towns No 1 denied him a strike, now that was crucial. Up until the last both teams drove on but a late cross for the Trickies saw Olly Walker thwack in a firm header and give the scoreline a somewhat deceptive feel. The dying embers of the match were frantic but Stockport indulged in good game management and met the final whistle worthy victors - what a fine spectacle this had been.
Earlier in the week I had witnessed Stockport Town lose a 1 - 0 shocker in what I deemed the worst match of the season thus far. Tonight I saw them put in the best team performance of the campaign to date and win a quite entertaining affair. I think the creation of Robert Louis Stevenson may have some competition here and my advice to Stockport is just to make sure you get the pre-match potion just right. Man of the Match could go to anyone from the visiting team but I was mightily impressed by the efficiency, work rate and defensive stubbornness of their No 3 (Izzy Miranda) who played the game with head down, good spirit and a focused honesty not to be underestimated - have a cup of tea on me mate! Myself and my good lady headed homeward in the rank weather but it would take a lot more than some measly rain to mar the memories of a quite gratifying cup-tie. Cheers to all involved.
FINAL THOUGHT - Northwich Victoria have some good players in their mix and one or two with pace aplenty and a real spirited desire. Tonight though they came upon a team inspired and were, if the truth be known, simply ran into the ground by a well-versed and athletic Stockport Town squad who were 'up for it'. Both teams will do OK though and as the season unfolds I think will be in close company as regards the end points tally. Tonight's exhibition was worth the Friday night effort and I reckon all those who are wasting good time and money on the premiership fiasco over the coming weekend are totally misguided. This is 'man in the street' football, still at a level of honesty and not pissing in the face of the punter with corrupt capitalism and hero-addling affectation. My advice, get out and get real - for the cost of a couple of pints you can witness something quite worthy going on - and what better way to escape the stresses of everyday life. Up the underdogs I say, be it punk rock, the natural world or in the football basin - DIY is the way.
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