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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 13 April 2006 |
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Peter Wilson reports on VICS win over Stafford: Vics 3 v 1 Stafford Northwich Victoria are the Champions of the Nationwide Conference North, and they clinched the title in style against their closest rivals at a packed Victoria Stadium. Yet it was Stafford who had drawn first blood. Following a fairly tentative start from both sides, when only an effort from Chris Williams had threatened to produce any drama, Danny Edwards cleverly created an opportunity down the left to deliver a low cross from which Robin GIBSON stooped to score with a well placed header to give his team a 24th minute lead. Vics ought to have been back on level terms almost immediately but Brayson failed to connect in front of goal with a well-placed Williams through ball and he appeared to have hurt himself in the attempt. He left the field to be replaced by Mark Sale. With the Vics pressure mounting Rangers began to look increasingly vulnerable at the back, most especially to the pace and strength of Jonny Allan. And, befittingly, it was a brace of goals from Allan that changed the face of the game. Another perfectly weighted pass from Williams sent ALLAN on a direct run at goal and once he had shrugged off the attentions of his marker he had few problems in moving forward to beat the advancing keeper with a precision shot from the edge of the box. His second came on the stroke of half time and this time Elliott was the provider although the quality of finish was all down to our leading goal scorer. Elliott cashed in on an error by the erratic Wayne Daniel to send ALLAN on a free run at goal and he demonstrated the composure of a true marksmen by patiently drawing the keeper before scoring with another perfectly placed shot. Now requiring two goals to give them any hope of winning the title many may have expected Rangers to go on a sustained offensive, but that never proved to be the case and during the occasional passages of play when they enjoyed the better possession they seldom looked capable of breaching a solid Vics defence. Yet when Vics moved forward McAughtrie and Daniel appeared in disarray. And with 14 minutes remaining Vics tied up the game and the Championship with a goal worthy of that outcome. WILLIAMS started the move himself before latching onto a Sale knockdown on the edge of the box and, despite the best attempts of two defenders, he determinedly held onto possession before pivoting smartly to fire an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner of the net. With game and title won Vics began to toy with their opponents and in terms of quality, Kevin Street apart, Rangers could offer little in response. At the final whistle the vast majority of the 3,154 were left to celebrate an historic event...let's just hope its not another 50 years until the next time. Attendance: 3,154 Man of the Match: Peter Handyside
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 29 June 2008 )
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