1874 Northwich, they find a way…

Substitute Rick Bailey’s winning goal arrived with nine minutes left on Tuesday.

It was timely in more ways than one, keeping 1874 Northwich at the top of the North West Counties League ahead of closest-rivals Atherton Collieries.

Scoring late is starting to become a habit – and a good one – too.

Ian Street’s side have now scored 14 goals in the final quarter of an hour of a Premier Division fixture this season.

On four occasions, it’s turned draws into a win – that’s eight extra points to their total.

It’s a trait Runcorn Linnets were renowned for, particularly last season, when Joey Dunn was in in their dugout.

Match report: 1874 2-1 Barnton

Sam Hare’s instant impression

The former Glossop North End midfielder was involved in both 1874 goals in his league debut, scoring one of them.

His technique to control a rising shot that hauled the hosts level, after Barnton defender Danny Meadowcroft sliced a clearance into his path, was perfect.

Ian Street stationed Hare in a more advanced starting position than captain Matthew Woolley and Mark Jones in the centre of the pitch, and the 24-year-old saw plenty of the ball.

His delivery from set pieces was also consistently good.

However he toiled to have the same impact, at least initially, in the second period before a trade of passes with substitute Bailey that led to the game’s decisive moment.

A defence built on shaky foundations

1874’s defence continues to take on a makeshift appearance.

Stuart Wellstead did his best to fill in for injured Paul Connor, who is unlikely to be fit again until later this month.

Callum Jones again deputised in the centre, this time with Danny Thomas unavailable.

However Street admitted afterwards he was alarmed at how easy it had been for Barnton to take the lead.

Rob Hope’s long pass was perfectly-weighted, but the ease with which it bisected Wellstead and Ryan Mitchell will be a worry.

Chris Quirk had also been allowed to run unchallenged from a starting position on the right flank to meet it.

Barnton’s Chris Smith also posed a consistent threat with powerful running that every player along the back four found uncomfortable.

A familiar tale, but Villagers’ story can change

Barnton have now lost nine of their past 10 league matches, drawing the other.

It leaves them in the bottom three, and everybody else around them has games in hand.

The acquisition of Danny Meadowcroft has already made them sturdier in defence, and he largely kept in-form Tom Bailey quiet.

If substitute Rick Bailey’s late winner for 1874 Northwich fit a trend for the hosts, then it did the same for the Villagers; more than a third of the goals they’ve conceded in the league have arrived after the 75th minute.

It will not help that confidence is fragile, which is where the experience of Meadowcroft, Matthew Conkie and Rob Hope will be so important.

They helped the Villagers stay in the contest, something they weren’t doing a month ago.

In praise of Chris Smith

The Barnton captain was often isolated, especially after the interval, but he rose to the challenge admirably.

More than once his strength and determination crafted an opening on the counter-attack, most notably when he teed up Sam Houghton a gilt-edged chance early in the second half.

It was his fine run and cross shortly afterwards too that Lee Vaughan almost converted with an angled header.

Smith has nine goals to his name in league and cup, and will undoubtedly be an important figure for Steve Lloyd’s side if they are to ensure survival in the league’s top flight this season.