Monday 1st January 2007
Vics 3 v 1 Southport 1

Not surprisingly Steve Burr kept faith with the same starting line-up that had done well in the time available to them before the abandonment of the previous game at Stafford.

In a game that was vital to both sides the opening 20 minutes proved to be predictably tense with neither wanting to make crucial errors. But eventually the game came to life and Vics initiated an incisive 4 man move that ended with Battersby powering a header inches over the bar. From a left wing free kick Southport almost exploited Vics' Achilles Heal and, when they again failed to defend a set piece competently, Baker found himself unmarked 5 yards from goal with the ball at his feet but he fired weakly wide. Play again switched and Byrne shot over the bar from a promising position.

A poor clearance from Gallimore let in Baker but his shot was deflected wide of goal for a corner. Gallimore was quickly in the thick of things at the other end and from his astute throw in Sale headed down for Allan to produce a rasping volley that was only kept out by a superb Harrison save. Allan then surged forward to release Battersby to his right and his cross was almost converted by the leaping Sale but he was prevented by the smallest of deflections from a defender at full stretch. Barwick had a shot clear the bar after the physical presence of Sale had unnerved Kirkup into a scuffed clearance. With these opportunities having gone begging there was a distinct feeling of deja vu amongst the Vics fans when the visitors broke through Baker and his incisive 20 yard pass provided Doherty with the opportunity to deliver a cross to the far post and the unmarked MAAMRIA was allowed enough time and space to score with a simple side foot finish.

Left to chase the game Vics spent the opening 10 minutes of the second half floundering until the management team changed the face of the game with two decisive substitutions. Brayson replaced Sale, who had done by no means badly, and Roca came on for Elliott, whose run of poor form continues. And their infusion of pace proved to be the turning point.

Within 3 minutes McCarthy sent Roca on a run down the right and he raced to the by-line before delivering a perfect far post cross for ALLAN to meet with a powerful header that Harrison just managed to claw out but the Vics striker stood his ground to thunder the rebound into the net. Sixty seconds later and Carr appeared to have sent Brayson clear but Harrison raced from his goal to marginally win the chase. Roca continued to harass a ragged looking Southport defence with his darting runs while Brayson was seeking every opportunity to capitalise on a general lack of pace in the Southport rearguard. And when Vics again moved forward Barwick found BRAYSON lurking to his left on the edge of the box and the Vics striker cunningly got around his marker before squeezing a shot from the narrowest of angles in between the keeper and his post.

Harrison almost gifted Vics a decisive third when he failed to clear the bar with his attempt at turning a well-flighted Byrne corner over his own bar, but the angle proved too tight for the pouncing Charnock and his header found the side netting. Allan then surged forward again and from the by-line he cut the ball back invitingly for Roca but his shot was saved by Harrison.

This provided the cue for a nail biting, hectic finish. Southport threw everything forward for one last throw of the dice and were desperately unlucky not to equalise during one single passage of play that saw Connett make a spectacular goal line save before Charnock blocked on the line and then Connett again made a block on the goal line to keep intact his team's slender advantage. Brayson then broke and left all in his wake only to see his angled shop slip agonisingly wide of the far post. With Southport committed to searching for a leveller a goal from a counter attack was always a possibility and Allan duly obliged after Roca had again ran some forty yards before being only partially dispossessed on the edge of the box and as the ball ran free ALLAN gratefully took possession to lash an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Hopefully stung by recent criticism concerning the players’ attitudes, Vics answered in the best possible way today by showing the kind of resilience and fortitude in the second period that has recently been lacking.

Finally, special mention must be made of the excellent playing surface that remained like a bowling green, and without any visible surface water, despite the recent deluge of rain. Well done Mr Biddle and your helpers !!!!!

 
Attendance: 1,056
Man of the Match: Jonny Allan