1874 NORTHWICH started their latest FA Vase campaign with a comfortable win at lower-ranked Rochdale.

Manager Ian Street had said beforehand that success in this season’s edition is a priority for his players, and they responded by extending a winning sequence to four matches.

They made the early running, and the home team’s goalkeeper Mike Smith made smart saves to stop Ryan Mitchell’s header and then an attempt by Mike Brandon.

At the other end, Carl Fitton’s speculative attempt from distance was read by 1874 custodian Matthew Conkie.

The visitors opened the scoring from the penalty spot, Matthew Beadle sending the ball in the opposite direction to Smith’s dive after Mike Brandon had been tripped.

Smith also tipped over Aidan Haughton’s effort before half time.

1874 continued to control proceedings after the interval, when Louis James’ attempt fizzed over.

Conkie diverted Fitton’s free kick to safety before the away team doubled their advantage when Beadle flicked on his goalkeeper’s long clearance.

Brandon was the recipient, and he steered in the visitors’ second goal.

Rochdale, without a victory in their previous four fixtures, halved their arrears on 69 minutes when substitute Scott Alfrey converted from close range. 

However 1874 quickly restored a two-goal distance between the teams, this time when Matthew Ward’s low drive from distance was placed out of Smith’s reach.

The same player was denied by a perfectly-timed tackle following a dribble from midfield.

Alfrey then smashed a volley into the side-netting before another replacement, Daniel Cawley, settled the outcome with time running out.

Rochdale, victors when the sides met in the North West Counties League’s second tier the season before last, added a consolation when Gareth Hill escaped his marker to score with a header from a corner. 

1874 are one of seven league representatives in Monday’s draw.

1874 | Conkie (GK), Connor, Lomas, Woolley, Mitchell, Brandon, Kirk, Haughton (Cawley 82), Beadle (Tulloch 87), Ward, James Subs not used Stewart, McNicholl, Mason Goals Beadle 27 (penalty), Brandon 53, Ward 72, Cawley 86 Booked Woolley

Rochdale | Smith (GK), Alessandra, Fitton, Gareth Hill, Jason Hill, Astley, Paul Carey (Alfrey 68), Burgess, Thompson (Owens 81), Bennion, Dibley Subs not used Jonny Carey, Kershaw, Williams (GK) Goals Alfrey 69, Gary Hill 90

Referee Sam Barrett

Attendance 142

Additional reporting by Garry Clarke