BARROW (0)0

VICS (2)2
Burns 32 Crowell 45

Att. 708

A comfortable win for Vics on a heavy pitch against a Barrow side that threatened in the opening minutes but then seldom looked like denying Vics passage to the next round and a trip to York in a fortnight.

It could have been different if Tynan hadn't made an excellent diving save in the opening minute from a Henney shot at the expense of a corner. However, after this bright start Vics began to look very much in control with Welch and Belle dominant at the back and Mullen enjoying an excellent game in midfield. Vics went ahead on 32 minutes through Burns, looking suspiciously offside , and in effect sealed it
on the stroke of half time when Crowell fired low into the corner through a crowded penalty box.

The second half saw Barrow have more possession but with the
exception of one Chris Thompson effort it was Vics who looked more dangerous and the result was rarely in doubt. The only concern was for Vics was an injury to Scott Tynan who limped for over half the game on one of those rare occasions when Vics didn't have a sub keeper!.

A win is a win and although it is `only' the Setanta Shield it brings with it £4k in prize money and is better than a training session for getting all the new players bedded in.

Tynan, Bowler, Welch, Belle, Kerr, Horrocks, Carr, Crowell, Barker,
Mullen, Burns.
Subs Roddy, Morning, Meadowcroft, Hanley, Akins.

Barrow starting line-up: Deasy, Woodyatt, Elderton, Jones, McNulty,
Henney, Bond, Scales, Walker, Rogan, Thompson

70: Brown replaced Thompson
75: Kelly replaced Scales

Northwich Victoria starting line-up: Tynan, Belle, Welch, Kerr,
Bowler, Crowell, Carr, Horrocks, Barker, Burns, Mullan

61: Atkins replaced Barker
78: Roddy replaced Mullan

Goals: Kerr (32), Crowell (45+1)