Vics 0 v? 1 Nantwich

VICS bowed out of the county cup in embarrassing fashion.
Danny Griggs grabbed the only goal from the penalty spot after Ryan Brown saw red for stopping Andy Kinsey's shot on the goal line with his left arm. The former Northwich wide man sent Ben Connett the wrong way from the spot.

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Steve Davis' men had been unlucky not to score before that when Connett reacted smartly to tip Kevin Miller's half volley around the upright.
Kinsey went close with two further efforts, one a scooped shot that Connett tipped onto the top of the bar and the other a rising shot that flew past the far post, as Vics took 40 minutes to register a shot at goal through Brad Maylett's tame effort.

There was little improvement after the break even after the introduction of Dino Maamria and Michael Carr, although the latter spurned Vics' best opening of the game.
Before that Connett made the save of the game to thwart Ashley Carter's effort, diving low to his right to palm away the forward's shot on the turn.
Richard Battersby got his keeper off the hook on the hour though as he flapped at Robin Gibson's centre only to be beaten to the ball by the marauding Glen Blackhurst. Fortunately Vics' skipper for the evening was on hand to clear from under the crossbar.

Carr then screwed his shot inches past the post after pouncing on Ryan Dicker's dreadful clearance. In truth he should have scored.
Northwich never came as close as that in the remaining time despite dominating territorially and having more possession than their tiring guests.
Kinsey fizzed another shot wide after Dominic Taylor was caught out by Griggs' assist as Nantwich booked a spot in the semi final.

STAR MAN: 1-Ben Connett - His saves kept his team in the game. A porous defence in front of him made sure he was given no time to get cold on a freezing night.

VICS (4-4-2): 1-Connett (GK), 15-Battersby (c), 30-Jarrett, 5-Strong (25-Taylor), 14-Brown, 21-Johnson, 2-Rusk, 22-Wilson (8-Carr), 27-Horrocks (18-Maamria), 17-Maylett, 23-Steele
Subs not used: 13-Tynan (GK), 4-Welch
Booked: 15-Battersby, 8-Carr (both fouls)
Sent off: 14-Brown (deliberate handball