1874 NORTHWICH recorded a first victory against Nelson on Saturday to complete a debut campaign in the North West Counties League’s top flight ranked third.

Chris Lunn’s double was a highlight.

He had already sent a chipped attempt against the crossbar before putting the visitors ahead midway through the first half, turning in a loose ball after goalkeeper Ben Woodhead had parried Ryan Stewart’s shot.

At the other end, custodian Matthew Conkie was untroubled by Ben Hoskins’ weak shot.

Stewart’s cross-cum-shot dipped over as 1874 continued to push forward, while a defender cleared to safety after Matthew Ward nudged an effort past Woodhead.

A second goal arrived in the seconds before the break when Mike Brandon lofted a neat finish over the hosts’ goalkeeper after Adam Bayley had steered the ball into his path.

Woodhead was called upon to deny Ward and Bayley after the interval before Lunn finished emphatically after latching onto a through-ball.

Within five minutes, 1874 led 4-0.

Matthew Beadle, on as a substitute in place of Brandon, intercepted a sloppy pass from Nelson skipper Peter Wright before racing clear.

After Woodhead stopped his first attempt, the front man netted a 27th goal of the campaign from his second.

Lunn twice went close to claiming a treble in the closing stages, although the home team scored next when replacement Paul Fildes’ shot past powerfully Conkie from distance.

Nelson Woodhead (GK), Malone, Mason, Hoskin, Melling (Walne 17), Lloyd, Maulin (Smallridge 75), Matty O’Neill, Wright, Joe O’Neill, Nutall (Fildes 89) Sub not used Ed O’Neill Goal Fildes 89

1874 Conkie (GK), Bayley (Connor 81), Duckworth, Mitchell, Thomas, Chappell, Matthew Woolley, Lunn, Brandon (Beadle 71), Ward, Stewart (Ledwards 81) Sub not used Bowyer Goals Lunn 20, 67 Brandon 45, Beadle 72

Referee Mark Powell

Attendance 145

Additional reporting by Garry Clarke