Lifeless Northwich Victoria slide to first league defeat since September (From Northwich Guardian)

Lifeless Northwich Victoria slide to first league defeat since September

11:45pm Tuesday 1st December 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

NORTHWICH Victoria’s FA Cup hangover got a whole lot worse after they were humbled by Hinckley United.

Andy Preece’s men have now suffered three successive losses.

Their performance – limp and lifeless – was in stark contrast to their storming victory over Charlton Athletic little more than a month ago.

But they have not won since.

This was their fourth Blue Square North encounter without a win, played out in front of the lowest home crowd - 451 - to watch a league encounter at the Victoria Stadium this season.

Those statistics should be enough to sober up anyone.

The game’s only goal, scored by in-form Knitters’ front man Adam Webster on 12 minutes, was cartoon-like in its calamity.

Mark Dudley’s hopeful punt over the home defence appeared to pose little danger, but Vics’ statuesque backline simply watched the ball sail behind them.

Webster could scarcely believe his luck, sliding the ball through Curtis Aspden’s legs to increase the ignominy.

Perhaps a glimpse of things to come came moments earlier when Jon Newby, sent clear by Jon D’Laryea’s perfect pass, failed to even hit the target when face-to-face with Hinckley custodian Chris MacKenzie.

Vics, unbeaten in the league for almost three months, did not come that close again.

They dominated territory as Dean Thomas’ men chose to protect what they had, but lacked the zest required to prize open the visitors’ defence.

Lee Elam, the best Northwich player on show, fired over after making room for a shot before Michael Connor’s clever pass sent Newby into space down a channel.

But his cross was too close to MacKenzie.

Preece, who had recalled Mark Danks to the starting line-up in place of injured Jonny Allan after a four-matches suspension, sent Mat Bailey to the point of the attack in the second half.

Little, if anything, changed.

Webster led a rare foray into Vics’ half on 54 minutes, picking out Andy Gooding, but his shot was weak.

Danks forced MacKenzie to save smartly from a swerving free kick as the hosts tried to muster a response but their possession rarely translated to a sight of goal.

Hinckley’s next counter raid ended with Gooding’s wild finish when well-placed after Chukki Eribenne had picked a hole in Vics’ backline.

At the other end substitute Aaron Burns, back after a two-months loan stay at Altrincham, flicked on for Bailey but he shot straight at MacKenzie.

Hinckley’s number one was saved by Andy Hall’s brilliant defensive header two minutes from time, the diminutive wide man stretching to take the ball off Danks’ head as he shaped to nod Elam’s lofted centre into an empty net.

Had he scored Vics would have robbed a point.

---

Vics Aspden (GK), Aspin, Bailey, Grand, Ryan Brown (Junior Brown 46), Connor, Herring (Kerr 46), D’Laryea, Elam, Newby (Burns 63), Danks
Subs not used Riley, Edwards
Booked Kerr (dissent)

Hinckley MacKenzie (GK), Cartwright, Lister, Franklin, Dudley, Hall, Gooding, Lavery, Taylor, Webster, Eribenne
Subs not used West, Mace, Collins, Hamilton
Goal Webster 12
Booked Gooding, Lavery, Eribenne (foul)

Referee Scott Duncan (Tyne and Wear)
Attendance 451

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)