ASKING Neil Chappell to be captain is proving to be an inspired choice by Ian Street, the 1874 Northwich manager.

The midfielder’s first-half double did for durable opponents, setting his side on a course for the FA Cup preliminary round.

He scored the winner at Cammell Laird in midweek too.

There is more to the 29-year-old’s game than goals, of course, and his energy and drive from the middle of the pitch helped the hosts overwhelm their league rivals.

After six days of the new season, 1874 have recorded three victories without conceding a goal.

“Can’t knock it, can you?” said Street afterwards.

“If I’d have been offered two league wins and to be through to the next round of the FA Cup in the first week, I’d have bitten off your hand.

“We were comfortable too; I never felt we were in any danger.”

His team toiled for an opening in the first half an hour, held up by solid opponents playing with a solitary attacker.

West goalkeeper Paul Hughes made only one save in that time, blocking Elliot Ledwards’ scuffed attempt at his near post, before 1874 broke through.

When the visitors made a mess of clearing a corner, Chappell jabbed out his right leg to divert Arron Kirk’s shot over the line from close range.

It spurred the hosts, and Hughes reacted instinctively to prevent Matthew Ward’s deflected drive from creeping in shortly afterwards.

However he has helpless to stop Chappell’s header, from another Ledwards set piece, hitting the net on 38 minutes.

West, best-laid plans in pieces, were more adventurous in the second period.

Ben Steer sprinted clear soon after the restart, only for Louis James’ perfectly-timed tackle to thwart him in shooting stride.

The visitors were almost punished immediately, but Mike Brandon – unmarked – sent his header wide after Kirk’s quickly-taken free kick invited Paul Connor to raid on the right.

Ryan Jackson could not control a header from Ward’s set piece, then 1874 survived a scare when Rick Gleave’s dribble – deserving of a better reward – ended with a shot that thudded against an upright.

Substitute Martin Hill prompted Hughes to save smartly with his fingertips, then Jordan Poole smuggled Brandon’s goal-bound effort off the line from the resulting corner.

At the other end, James again slid at the right moment to stop Steer when he looked a likely scorer.

Brandon’s header from a Kirk cross again brought the best from Hughes, before 1874 pinched a third goal in added time.

Sent clear by Ward’s pass, Jackson’s initial attempt was parried back into his path by West’s number one.

After controlling the rebound with his hand, the wide man rolled the ball into an empty net.

Vexed, the visitors’ appeals for it to be annulled were ignored by referee Joe Simpson.

As well as £1,500 in prize money, it earns 1874 another crack at reaching the first qualifying round.

Ashton Athletic or Maltby Main, who play on Saturday, will be tasked with trying to stop them.

1874 | 4-2-3-1 | Conkie (GK), Connor, Woolley, Lomas, James, Chappell, Kirk, Jackson, Ward, Ledwards (Hill 60), Brandon Subs not used McNichol, Stewart, Stadnicki, Mitchell, Tulloch Goals Chappell 31, 38 Jackson 90 (+4)

West | 5-4-1 | Hughes (GK), Mason, Potts, Rogers, Eckersley (Woods 46), Simcock, Gleave (Pozier 71), Poole, Gavin, Wolden (Schofield 61), Steer Subs not used Murphy (GK), Livesy, Russell, Mitten Booked Potts (foul)

Referee Joe Simpson

Attendance 350