Hard work paid off against Hucknall, says Vics boss (From Northwich Guardian)

Andy Preece says set pieces made the difference as Vics beat Hucknall

1:09pm Sunday 29th August 2010 in Sport By Andrew Simpson

NORTHWICH Victoria’s ability to score goals from set pieces helped them to humble Hucknall Town, according to manager Andy Preece.

He told the Guardian that his players’ work on the training ground had paid off after Vics found the target twice from corners in the first half of Saturday’s 4-0 win.

“They [set pieces] are so crucial in every league, right from the top,” he said.

“Even at the highest level games can be decided from a corner or free kick and so we work really hard to ensure we make the most of those opportunities when they come our way.

“That’s probably where the game was won and lost.”

Wayne Riley’s expert delivery of a dead ball, coupled with Hucknall’s sloppiness in defending them, saw first Michael Connor then Ferenc Fodor hit the net.

Both goals came against the run of play after Yellows’ bright opening.

“Hucknall are a decent side and they were probably the better team in the early part of the game,” admitted Preece.

“They carry a real threat from wide positions and adapted to the windy conditions quicker than we did.

“Paul Smith’s brilliant deliveries from set pieces that really put us under pressure, but I felt we did well to deal with those.

“I warned the players at half time that the game wasn’t over at 2-0.

“But we started so well and got the third goal quickly. I think after that we were totally dominant"

Ollie Ryan raced onto Paul Henry’s lofted pass to roll in Vics’ third within seconds of the restart, then Riley swerved in a free kick to expose keeper Ross Whalin’s poor positioning.

Jonathan Crane and substitute Kwame Barnett might have added further goals as the visitors crumbled.

Preece added: “We won comfortably in the end and that’s a nice feeling.

“I think our hard work and energy to squeeze the space their players had to play in ultimately ground them down and we played some good stuff ourselves after that.

Vics share the lead in the Evo-Stik Premier Division with FC United of Manchester after the season’s first seven days.

They are the only two teams to have won each of their opening three matches, the Rebels’ five-goals hammering of Retford United earning them top spot on goals difference.

Northwich head to neighbours Nantwich Town – pointless after three successive defeats – on Bank Holiday Monday, kick off 3pm.

FC United are at unbeaten Ashton.

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