Farsley Celtic 2 v 1 Vics

Vics hit rock bottom in virtually every sense of the word as they deservedly lost to fellow strugglers Farsley.
The manager again made changes, despite an improved performance against York, yet surprisingly again omitted Battersby.
Simeon Bambrook had an early shot tipped competently over the bar by Connett before Carr flashed a reply inches wide. Bambrook again went close from the edge of the box before Vics forced three corners that, with the wind at their backs, caused the home defence serious problems.

All seemed to be going according to plan when Vics opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Debutant Chris Billy fouled Maamria and from an astutely taken free kick by Williams the alert Birch delivered an inch perfect cross for TAIT to score with a perfectly placed header. Watson headed wide from close range and then a 30-yard Maylett shot defeated the keeper but landed on the roof of the net.

Vics continued to look the more threatening, while still looking occasionally vulnerable to the counter attack. Williams and Sharp combined effectively for the former to deliver a measured cross from which Carr ought to have scored rather than head wide from 8 yards. Yet the danger signals remained and after Connett failed to collect a long free kick and Crossley directed a header across goal Bambrook should have done better than lift a shot wide of the target with the Vics keeper stranded.

Despite some concerns, all seemed well for a first win but fans were stunned by the managers decision to replace Maamia at half time with defender Welch and to then place the defender in midfield, leaving Maylett and Williams to push forward to support lone striker Tait. Basically this engineered the end of Vics as an attacking force. The home side failed to pose too many threats with Connett only being called upon to make a save that required two attempts, from Gareth Grant. But with Vics failing to hold possession or pose a threat, and the opposition gradually building a head of steam, it was disappointing not to see substitutions that may have changed the initiative.

And almost inevitably the home side grabbed their equalising goal when Stamer played in BAMBROOK inside the box and this time the Celtic player converted his opportunity. Townson replaced the disappointing Williams but by now Vics had lost any early initiative they may have had and with a minute left Farsley grabbed maximum points that may have a number of repercussions for Northwich Vics. A free kick was played into the box and WHITMAN created sufficient space for himself to tuck his shot inside the post.

Greg Strong and Josh Wilson appear to be the best defensive partnership currently available but there is a worrying lack of genuine pace throughout the team and ,it has to be said, that current performances confirm their position at the foot of the table to be justified.

Team 4-4-2
Connett /
Birch, Wilson, Strong, Sharp /
Maylett, Rusk, Carr, Williams (Townson 85 mins) /
Maamria (Welch h/t), Tait /
Subs not used: Murphy, Battersby & Byrne

Referee: S. J. Rushton

Attendance: 502

Man of the Match: Greg Strong