Tuesday 8th September 2009
AFC Telford 1 (Cowan 40)
Vics 2 (Danks 7 Allan 53)

An impressive Northwich performance deservedly earned them maximum points from a game that they were decidedly the better team almost throughout.
Mark Danks produced the perfect start by scoring a 7th minute opener. An Elam free kick caused consternacy within the Telford defence allowing Bailey to find DANKS and he scored from a competent finish. Allan might have added a second when set clear on goal but he shot wide. D’Laryea was equally wasteful after having been set up by Connor before Spencer pulled off a supwerb save to deny Adams after he had been supplied with a scoring opportunity by Newton. With half time approaching the home side drew level from a Newton corner, a Gavin COWAN header again exposing Vics’ Achilees Heel at set pieces.

HALF TIME: AFC TELFORD 1 VICS 1

Having been second best for most of the opening half it was not entirely surprising that the home side came out with a more determined look about them. But their best efforts were competently rebutted by Vics and when they broke in the 53rd minute to win a free kick just over 20 yards from goal, Jonny ALLAN stepped up to drive the set piece beyond an helpless keeper and into the net. Connor cleverly set up Elam one on one with the keeper but he denied the Vics winger with a timely save. Carey-Bertram might have grabbed an undeserved equaliser but shot wide before Connor appeared to have sealed the points by “scoring” from close range after the keeper had spilled an Allan shot but it was ruled out for offside, presumably substitute Wayne Riley being perceived as the offender. Mike Connor, who had otherwise had an excellent game, was shown the red card for a second bookable offence late in the game. But despite being reduced to ten men Vics finished the game with a confident and pleasiung degree of comfort.
Tonight’s display, on the back of Saturday’s performance, has restored confidence that the team is now progressing in the right direction.

Team: 4-3-3
Spencer /
Aspin, Bailey, Grand, J. Brown /
Connor, Herring, D’Laryea /
Elam (Riley 77), Allan, Danks (Burns 77) /
Subs not used: Vaughan, Winter & Kerr
Attend: 1,557
Man of the Match; Jonny Allan- led the line like the Allan of old. Connor-, Herring and Junior Brown were similarly outstanding on a night when every player deserved credit for an excellent team performance.