3:25pm Sunday 26th July 2009
By Andrew Simpson
NORTHWICH Victoria were too clinical for poor Curzon Ashton – a team that finished 51 places below them last season.
All of Andy Preece’s fit forwards were on target.
Jon Newby started the scoring on 10 minutes, stabbing Aaron Burns lay-off past the keeper from inside the penalty area following Wayne Riley’s centre.
The visitors doubled their tally soon afterwards, Simon Grand heading Riley’s free kick in off the post with power and precision.
Mike Aspin blazed wildly off target after Lee Elam had split the defence with a clever back heel, but a third goal followed on the half hour.
This time Burns scored from the spot after Mike Connor had been felled in the box.
At the other end on-trial keeper Curtis Aspden, who spent last season at Farsley Celtic, blocked Michael Norton’s penalty after Ian Herring had tripped Dean Canning.
Grand’s finish was clinical at the start of the second half after Connor had touched the ball in his direction.
Vics’ best moment followed on the hour.
Riley sent Elam into space down the right and his pinpoint cross was volleyed against the upright by Burns at the back post.
The same players combined on the rebound, but the latter’s shot was smothered.
Sub Mark Danks completed the scoring, showing patience to wait for the right moment to shoot home after the hosts’ defence had made a hash of clearing a loose ball.
Vics (4-4-2) Aspden (GK), Aspin (Cadwallader 72), Bailey (Meadowcroft 62), Grand, Horrocks, Elam (Danks 62), Herring, Connor (Winter 72), Burns (McGaw 69), Newby (Farran 72), Riley (Hanley
72)
Goals Newby 10, Grand 18, 49, Burns 30 (pen), Danks 68
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