1874 NORTHWICH celebrated their third birthday with a win, their fourth in a row in the North West Counties League’s top flight.

But Nelson, if only briefly, threatened to spoil the party.

The visitors cancelled a two-goal deficit to draw level after an hour, only for Matthew Beadle’s penalty to set Ian Street’s men back on course towards victory.

Stuart Wellstead’s stoppage-time strike got them there, closing a gap to pacesetters Colne to two points.

Beadle fired wide, a trick repeated by Wellstead moment later, before the hosts took the lead at a sodden Barton Stadium when Mike Brandon steered Beadle’s cross past goalkeeper Callum Jakolevs.

Ryan Mitchell twice went close to doubling his side’s advantage before the break; first, he shot off-target after Matthew Ward – on his 100th appearance for the club – and Paul Connor combined.

Next, the defender’s header then lacked the power and direction to trouble Jakolevs.

Brandon netted his second goal three minutes into the second half when, after breaking forward from midfield, he slotted a through-ball out of the Nelson custodian’s reach.

The Admirals replied, pulling one back when Mamoke Mkauna swooped onto a loose ball inside 1874’s half before squirted a long-range shot beyond net-minder Matthew Conkie.

The goal-scorer’s next attempt was blocked, and Adam Nuttall directed the rebound narrowly wide.

Nelson needed a stroke of good luck to restore parity, when Mkauna’s cross-field pass was diverted past Conkie – who lost his footing on a slippery surface – by Mitchell.

1874 edged again on 67 minutes, Beadle keeping calm to convert from the spot after he had been pushed in the back at the moment a free kick was sent into the visitors’ penalty area.

Ward almost marked his milestone in dazzling fashion, only for a dribble from deep inside his own half to end with a shot that was just too high.

A fourth goal arrived in added time, when Wellstead finished without fuss after Beadle had turned provider.

1874 | Conkie (GK), Mitchell, James, Woolley, Thomas, Brandon, Connor, Kirk, Beadle, Ward, Wellstead Subs not used Haughton, Cawley, McNichol, Farnworth, Tulloch Goals Brandon 20, 48, Beadle 67 (penalty), Wellstead 90

Nelson | Jakolevs (GK), Azam, Bradley, Thompson, Lloyd, Taylor (Malone 80), Brierley, Sharples, Mkauna, Nuttall (Threlkeld 85), Cassidy (Charlesworth 71) Sub not used Thompson Goals Mkauna 50, Mitchell 60 (own goal) Booked Brierley, Cassidy, Bradley

Referee Andrew Cawtherley

Attendance 238

Additional reporting by Garry Clarke

 

Verdict of 1874 Northwich assistant manager Paul Bowyer on Twitter: