Telford 1 Vics 2 (From Northwich Guardian)

Northwich Victoria send out message to rivals after humbling AFC Telford United

2:12pm Wednesday 9th September 2009 in Match reports By Andrew Simpson

ANDY Preece revealed this week that he had given his players a rocket to round off their Bank Holiday.

They listened, for since then Northwich Victoria have outplayed two of the Blue Square North’s top teams in front of their own fans.

This win was no fluke.

No doubt Bucks fans will find fault with their team’s tepid showing, but in truth the hosts were probably not expecting their opponents to attack so relentlessly from the outset.

Mark Danks had already scored against his former club – tapping home at the far post after Mat Bailey had fired Lee Elam’s free kick across goal – before they could adjust.

Vics, noses in front, were dominant for the next half hour.

But, like at Corby on Saturday, they were not ruthless enough to make it count.

Michael Connor’s shooting is a weak spot in his rapidly-improving all-round game, and he should have done far better than blaze wildly off target with only Telford keeper Ryan Young to beat on the quarter hour.

Bucks’ custodian parried Jonny Allan’s shot after he was served by Junio Brown before Preece’s men wasted a second glorious chance to end the contest on the half hour.

Danks picked Steve Jagielka’s pocket in midfield before leading a counter that ended with Jon D’Laryea one-on-one with Young but, like Connor, his finish was woeful.

Vics, inevitably, were punished for their profligacy.

Telford fired a warning when James Spencer was forced into a stunning fingertip save to divert Jon Adams’ flick header to safety from Sean Newton’s set piece.

They did level before the break, this time skipper Gavin Cowan sending unstoppable header past the visitors’ keeper from another Newton delivery.

Telford boss Rob Smith clearly dished out an earbashing of his own at the interval as his players emerged with vigour, but Allan ended their resolve on 53 minutes.

He fizzed an unstoppable free kick past a poorly-positioned Young to restore Vics’ lead.

The hosts’ number one redeemed himself within a minute, racing off his line to smother Elam’s shot after he raced on to Connor’s astute pass.

Telford, winners only once from four attempts at the New Bucks Head this term, mustered next-to-nothing in response, save for Danny Carey-Bertram’s weak finish from the edge of the box after Shane Killock had picked out his run.

The former Forest Green Rovers front man had more time than he realised.

Vics had a third goal ruled out – rightly – for offside against sub Wayne Riley in the closing stages after he strayed into Young’s path when Connor blasted in a loose ball.

The keeper had parried Allan’s initial effort.

The visitors’ made life difficult for themselves in the closing stages when Connor, so impressive as a raider from deep, picked up a second booking following a foolish slide into Young when he had no chance of reaching the ball.

Referee Mark Howes was right to punish him.

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Star Man Jonny Allan. Not just because he blasted the winner. Vics’ fans favourite is integral to the success of Andy Preece’s 4-3-3 shape. His ability to link midfield and attack by holding and then releasing the ball enabled a fluid formation to function in impressive fashion. Junior Brown and Michael Connor were once more outstanding – their physical power proved too much for their direct opponents – while Mark Danks and Ian Herring both put in their best performances in green and white since joining the club in the summer.

Telford (4-4-2) Young (GK), Lee Vaughan, Cowan, Killock, Newton, Adams, Jagielka (Torpey 57), Field (Blakeman 66), Edwards, Trainer, Carey-Bertram (Howarth 83)
Subs not used Whitehead, Andy Brown
Goal Cowan 40
Booked Adams, Killock (foul)

Vics (4-3-3) Spencer (GK), Aspin, Bailey, Grand, Junior Brown, Connor, Herring, D’Laryea, Elam (Riley 77), Allan, Danks (Burns 77)
Subs not used Kerr, Winter, Stephen Vaughan
Goal Danks 7, Allan 53
Booked Connor (foul)
Sent off Connor (second booking)

Referee Mark Howes (Solihull)
Attendance 1,557