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1 - 2 DEFEAT TO LEAGUE LEADERS |
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Written by Brian Edge
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Saturday, 05 January 2008 |
Northwich 1-2 Aldershot
After the disastrous result on New Years Day it was inevitable that Vics' manager Maamria would ring the changes for this game against "top of the table" Aldershot.
However, there was still another surprise for the Vics faithful in attendance at the Victoria Stadium when the 16 names were read out - missing from the names was that of Simon Rusk who it is understood is about to join Weymouth in a permanent move.
Included in the starting line up were Michael Bowler (ex Stockport County) and Joel Byrom (signed from Clitheroe) making their Vics debuts with Byrne and Battersby returning to the starting eleven having been substitutes on Tuesday.
The other noticeable change was that Welch reclaimed the captain's armband from the transfer seeking Michael Carr.
The opening half hour was a tight affair although in truth the visitors were playing the more attractive football and always looked dangerous going forward whilst Vics looked light-weight up front.
Aldershot took the lead after 36 minutes when the ball found HODSON who was the furthest forward player - if his first touch was excellent then his second was sublime as he majestically lobbed Tynan from 18 yards out for a wonderful opening goal.
This lead was always coming and was no more than the visitors deserved but although Kerr and Welch looked fairly solid for Vics, Aldershot had perhaps been trying to play too much football and seemed to want to walk the ball into the net.
Two minutes later Michael Byrne had a good shot well saved low down by Nikki Bull and then Vics' keeper Tynan saved well to deny Grant.
On the stroke of half-time Byrom and Byrne combined well but the latter just failed to reach a returned pass which would possibly have brought an equaliser.
At the start of the second half Battersby and Akins were replaced by two more new boys for Vics - Aaron Burns (FC United of Manchester) and Keith Barker (St Patricks) and they were soon in the action creating chances for each other.
However a much easier chance was missed in the 48th minute by ex Vics front-runner John Grant as he managed to scoop his shot wide form just 6 yards out.
However, his namesake JOEL GRANT did better a minute later when he turned a cross goalwards from 8 yards following some poor defending by Vics on both flanks. Grant didn't really hit the ball well and it seemed to be deflected over the line by a Vics defender.
Amazingly this further setback appeared to spur VICS into action and what followed was a very exciting period of football. Carr and Byrne started to have more possession and in turn they were finding the new front pairing in good areas and although Aldershot were counter-attacking Tynan and the impressive Welch seemed to have most things under control.
On 73 minutes Maamria introduced the fifth new face of the afternoon as Cayne Hanley (ex FC United of Manchester) replaced Morning and just two minutes later Vics reduced the arrears with a sweet strike from 20 yards by BYROM to the left of the keep[er who never moved.
This goal seemed to rattle the visitors who brought on another defender as a substitute for a forward and Vics sensed an unlikely share of the points and indeed they had the best chance on adding to the goal tally when late on Carr went on one of his well known foraging runs into the box but as he collected the ball on the bye line he opted to shoot from a narrow angle when a square ball would have been more productive.
The visitors must have been relieved to hear the final whistle that signalled three more points for them in their quest to return to the Football League and in truth, overall, they deserved their win but Vics will be able to take a good few positives out of the game and given that it is now two weeks before our next league game the new players will have time to acclimatise to their new colleagues and surroundings.
Joel Byrom looks the pick of them but on the day he was pipped to the Man of the Match award, for me by Michael Welch who lead his side well from the back.
Aldershot stretched their lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier table to seven points with a hard-fought win.
Northwich: Tynan, Battersby (Burns 46), Kerr, Welch, Bowler, Danny Williams, Carr, Byrne, Morning (Hanley 73), Byrom, Akins (Barker 46).
Subs Not Used: Connett, Johnson.
Attendance: 871
Referee: R West (Beverley)
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 March 2008 )
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