Tuesday 14th August 2007
Vics 3 v 3? Droylsden?

Despite enjoying a two goal lead the ever growing defensive ineffeciancies of Vics allowed very average opponents to claw their way back into a game that ought to have been beyond their reach at 2 - 0.

Chris Williams, by far the best Vics player on show on the night, worked an opening down the right to deliver a cross that Paul TAIT converted with a large degree of skill to open the scoring. And when Chris WILLIAMS dispatched a 25 yard free kick inside the near post it seemed that the 2 goal lead was a platform to proceed to greater things. Tait had a header clawed away by Phillips as Vics looked to build on their dominance. Yet a Ged Murphy cross went unchallenged inside the Vics box allowing Colin CRYAN to loop a header all too easily beyond the reach of Murphy to reduce the deficit.

Williams continued to pose a threat and when he cut inside from the right his left foot shot was tipped inches over the bar by Phillips. Although Vics were opening up the visitors defence at random they continued to look increasingly vulnerable themselves and when Chris DENHAM took possession just inside the Vics box he was able to score with far too much ease as defenders once more failed to take effective responsibility for the situation.

Things continued to deteriate after the break and Denham cut inside to set up Daly and only the width of the post stopped the visitors from taking the lead. The Vics manager moved to change tactics and replaced defender Greg Strong with playmaker Byrne and then strker Speight came on for wing back Sharp. Yet it was the visitors who again produced the best scoring opportunity and after an average punched clearance fell to McGUIRE he placed a return shot into the corner of the net to give The Bloods the lead.

To their credit Vics raised their own game and were rewarded when WELCH thundered a drive from atleast 40 yards into the top corner of the net. At last the home side began to exhibit some cohesion and both Carr and Speight went close but despite a couple of late threats from both outfits the game ended in a draw that clearly gave more pleasure to the visitors than the home contingent.


Man of the Match: Chris Williams