Vics 4 V 0 Winsford

Vics made progress in this season?s Cheshire Senior Cup but of far more importance was the fact that the side won a game, kept a clean sheet and showed that they are capable of playing some inspired football.

However, the first half proved to be a tedious affair and the only real chance of the opening half hour actually came inside the first ten minutes when Brown crossed to Tait who was given far too much space by the Winsford defence which allowed the striker to dribble round the keeper and whilst everyone was waiting for him to knock the ball into the empty net the gangly striker somehow managed to hit a back-tracking defender instead!

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The small crowd of around 125 were probably expecting to hear the half-time whistle signal a nil-nil score line but Vics took the lead with what turned out to be the final kick of the half! Michael Byrne hit a good shot from the edge of the box that the keeper spilled into the path of TOWNSON who gratefully tapped the ball into the empty net.

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Chris Williams was playing in midfield this evening and he did well in this unusual deep role just in front of the back four.

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However, the manager changed things a little after 54 minutes when Carr replaced Williams and just 3 minutes later Vics increased their lead. Byrne who was getting more and more into the game found Carr with a slide rule pass and Carr hit an excellent shot past the keeper and although it was clearly heading for the net TAIT followed up to make sure.

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In the final quarter and after Coulson had come on to replace Maylett, Vics scored two more goals in as many minutes. In the 75th minute, Byrne's pass sent Heslop clear and faced?with a one on one with the Winsford keeper he shot straight at him ? the ball was spilled again and on this occasion COULSON followed up to easily roll the ball into the net. Just one minute later and COULSON scored his second and what a goal it was! Byrne hit a superb 50-yard cross-field ball to Coulson on the right flank and he hit an unstoppable drive into the net.

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So 4-0 to Vics and by now they were well on top and they nearly added a fifth with what would have been a truly memorable goal after Carr, Byrne and Tait had combined brilliantly to create an opportunity for Townson but his excellent chip just went the wrong side of the post.

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Vics were full value for this win and whilst they will obviously play much better opposition in the coming weeks it is hoped that this result will give them much needed confidence to take forward in the battles ahead.

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Team: Murphy; Battersby; Birch; Wilson(Capt); Brown; Maylett (Coulson 70); Heslop; Williams (Carr 54); Byrne; Tait and Townson

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Man of the Match: Michael Byrne