Andy Preece praised substitute Andy Fowler for his contribution to Vics' win (From Northwich Guardian)

Andy Preece praised substitute Andy Fowler for his contribution to Vics' win

8:50pm Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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ANDY Preece admitted his gamble had paid off after Andy Fowler came off the bench to scored the goal to end Whitby Town’s stubborn resistance.

Michael Connor speared in a free kick to earn Vics a 2-0 win that sends them to the top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division for the first time.

“The substitution was a gamble but we needed to win the game,” he said afterwards.

“Sometimes you take a risk and it pays off, other times not, but today it did for us.

“I told the players at half time that we wouldn’t get a better chance to beat them [Whitby] as I thought they were there for the taking.”

Fowler, dropped from the starting line-up as Preece handed a full debut to John McAliskey, curved in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box 15 minutes from time.

The ex-Bootle front man almost added two others in an impressive cameo.

“It was a great goal,” purred Preece.

“If I’m fair Andy is a bit unlucky to have been left out as he’s played his part in a team that won three of its first four matches.

“But he missed a lot of pre-season and knows himself that he’s a bit short of the sharpness he needs.

“Andy [Morrison] said to me to put Fowler on and it worked because he changed the game for us.”

Visitors Whitby made life tough though.

They also carved out enough chances to end a six-matches losing streak on the road; Andy Campbell was denied by James Spencer and Jamie Owens missed an open goal.

Skipper Tony Hackworth then smacked a fine volley against an upright.

“Whitby were tuned in, buying fouls and going down all over the place and it worked for them for a long time,” rued Preece.

“But their front two carried a threat and at times we struggled to deal with them.

“I’ve said before and no doubt will do again; we’ve got young defenders learning their trade against experienced guys like [Andy] Campbell and [Tony] Hackworth.

“If we can get away with one or two little things and the players learn from that then that’s obviously going to benefit us.”