STONE OLD ALLEYNIANS 1-2 1874 NORTHWICH: THE MOWDOG'S INDEPENDENT REPORT + IMAGES WITH CAPTIONS...

 1874 Take A Narrow, If Deserved Win, As Inoffensive Stone Hang In There… 

Stone Old Alleynians 1-2 1874 Northwich

1874 CELEBRATE THEIR SECOND GOAL...

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

Bereft of much goalmouth action, this Midland League Premier fixture, played in grim, breezy conditions on Newcastle Town’s pitch, was often untidy, generally hurried and it lacked a good deal of guile.

However, for 1874 three points were taken further north to Cheshire, strengthening their position in the play-off spots but apart from two skied drives from downtown during the second period by 1874’s skipper Matt Fenton and defender Tom Morris, efforts at goal by both teams were certainly at a premium on the day.  

FENTON: STRONG THROWS, STRONG FREE-KICK GOAL, STRONG GAME....

Before opening the scoring in the closing moments of the first-half, 1874 had been the more adventurous outfit, with Chris McCann and Jacson Coppack looking to find telling passes in a midfield which looked as crowded as an M&S store on the Saturday before Christmas.

L TO R: TOMLINSON, MORRIS, MIKULSKI & FITZPATRICK...

Two early shots at goal by the guests were the best moments of the opening 45, Eden Bailey’s drive being smartly turned aside for a corner by diving home ‘keeper Jack Sandel, then another cross-shot, this time by left-wingback Liam Fitzpatrick seared across the face of goal and wide of the target. 

SANDEL: TWO USEFUL SAVES...

Josh Oultram, the bustling Northwich forward switched wings and was able to set up 1874’s first goal with some persistent dribbling on the left flank, as the recess whistle moved close. He outdid home skipper Sam Wilson, not the luxury homeware brand but the footballer, on the touchline and crossed low towards the far stick, where Amarn Robinson converted easily.  

Little had materialised on offense for Stone, bar a couple of neat flicks by tall central striker Jack Tomlinson and an awkward but tame headed effort by Wilson and thus the interval arrived in Lyme Valley and the temperature on the wall of the cycling track dropped conspicuously…

TOMLINSON: LACKED DECENT SERVICE...

The tussling second-half… 

Remarkably, during the opening quarter-hour of period two, the only moments worthy of note were the other two goals. Right at the start of the second-half, a free-kick was awarded to the visitors, 23 yards out and skipper and long-throw specialist Fenton stepped up to take it. His shot flew head-high to Sandel’s right and although the goalminder got his gloves to the ball, he was unable to stop it from bulging the net. 

1874 were seemingly well in control at that point but on the hour, home replacement Sam Bowater controlled a diagonal pass from the left-flank out on the right-wing. He ran forth and crossed the ball low into the 6 yard box where busy midfielder Jack Van Der Laan glanced the ball into the far corner of the net, leaving 1874 ‘keeper Michael Shorthouse helpless. This was a surprise, for despite the hard work put in by the goalscorer, Wilson and Josh Goodwin in midfield, the hosts had barely managed to threaten the visiting goal. 

SHORTHOUSE: LARGELY REDUNDANT...

The remaining half-hour was certainly a tussle but apart from a decent headed clearance by Fenton for 1874, it was Northwich who created three more chances to score, none of which were taken.

A LULL...

THIS LATE STONE FREE-KICK CAME TO NOUGHT...

Robinson, not often enough involved, cut sharply along the right byeline, swerved inside but shot into the side-netting, replacement Alfie Foy’s low shot was pushed away for a corner by the sprawling Sandel and finally, Fenton’s difficult header from beyond the same post also passed the wrong side of the vertical. 

The final words…

Some might say that 1874 made hard work of their victory but maybe credit ought to go to the way Stone set up to counter their visitors’ aspirations. Player-coach Luke Askey, Joe Baxter and Josh Sedgley defended with aplomb and negated much of Northwich’s well meaning creativity but subsequently, Fenton’s free-kick proved to be the difference.

OULTRAM WAS CAUTIONED WHEN HIS TEAM WAS AWARDED A VITAL FREE-KICK...

...FROM WHICH FENTON WOULD SCORE, DECISIVELY...

1874’s Mark Jones was sterling in defence for the guests, showing pace, initiative and anticipation throughout and he was ably assisted by the rangy Morris, whose aerial presence was often commanding.

WHICH WAY IS WEST?
WHO WOULD YOU BELIEVE?

OULTRAM: A PRESENCE...

However, Northwich striker Eden Bailey was a livewire throughout and contributed to a few counter-attacks by his team, as Alleynians looked to force an equaliser late on. 

A referee who seemed to make a few errors, as most of the players did too, might have offered a chance for Stone to snatch an undeserved late equaliser when he awarded the hosts a free-kick. Morris appeared to reach a loose ball first and cleared it, yet seemed to be fouled in the act but he was the one penalised and immediately cautioned. Fortunately for the official, the resulting free-kick came to nought…

INJURY = DRINKS BREAK...

Ah, consistency… 

That’s all players crave, surely?