6:39pm Saturday 15th August 2009
By Andrew Simpson
PLAYING poorly but pinching the points is supposed to be a promising sign.
Northwich Victoria have repeated the trick more than once this week, reducing their handicap by seven points in the process.
Few fans will care.
Andy Preece’s men left it late to break down stubborn Solihull; Lee Elam applying the finishing touch to sub Aaron Burns’ back post cross with 12 minutes left.
Jonny Allan, also on as sub, doubled the hosts’ tally, heading home with power from an Ian Herring centre on 87 minutes to end the contest.
In truth the first goal had dissolved Moors’ resolve.
The visitors, pointless before kick off after losing their first two matches – arrived with the sole intention of improving their tally by one.
They can count themselves unlucky not to have accomplished their mission.
Theirs were the clearer chances before Elam bundled Burns’ assist over the goalline after ghosting into space beyond keeper Danny Crane.
Junior Brown – yes Solihull had their own version – came closest on 71 minutes, sprinting on to Tim Gould’s assist only for Vics’ keeper Curtis Aspden to smother his shot.
Moors’ Matty Lewis then fluffed his best chance, scuffing badly off target from just inside the penalty area after Junior English had spotted his run inside Nat Kerr.
He should have done much better.
Elam’s goal improved Vics’ shots-on-target total from zero to one, but they did establish a goal threat after he had broken the deadlock.
The former Altrincham craftsman was unlucky to see his clever chip come back off the bar in stoppage time after scampering past stopper Liam Daly.
Wayne Riley’s dipping volley flashed over from the rebound.
Earlier the first half passed by almost without any incident at all, Moors’ Brown blasting straight at Aspden after shuffling inside Simon Grand and Gould curving a speculative effort the wrong side of the upright after the home team’s defence failed to clear.
The hosts’ were too quick to surrender possession – few in green and white were free from blame for giving the ball away – preferring an aerial route to their front pair that served only to give Moors’ defensive duo Daly and Theo Streete to enjoy an untroubled opening period.
But seven days have brought seven points, bounty enough for Preece to face the term’s second week with optimism.
Vics (4-4-2) Aspden (GK), Kerr, Meadowcroft, Grand, Junior Brown, Riley, Herring, Connor (Bailey 70), Elam, Newby (Burns 60), Danks (Allan 57)
Subs not used Horrocks, Hanley
Goals Elam 78, Allan 87
Booked Connor (foul)
Solihull (4-4-2) Crane (GK), Khela, Daly, Streete, Midworth, English, Gould (Davies 81), Downes, Lea (Gardner 81), Junior Brown (Edwards 81), Lewis
Subs not used Johnson, Faulds
Booked Downes (foul), Lewis (dissent)
Referee Steven Copeland (Merseyside)
Attendance 485
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/trade_directory/