1874 Northwich are through to the first round proper of the FA Vase thanks to a 3-0 success at home against Selby.

As life got started without regular striker Scott McGowan, following his departure to Nantwich Town, 1874 showed some rustiness in their execution in the first half of what was the side's first competitive game for a month following the impact of a second wave of Covid-19.

Skipper Matthew Woolley did make one chance count in the opening stanza before Jake Parker (48) and Aaron Smith (78) settled the outcome against visitors who have lost all five of their Northern Counties East Football League Division One games so far this season.

Northwich Guardian:

Jake Parker against Selby Town. Picture: Portmanteau Studio

Though they did head to Townfield on Saturday on the back of beating 1874's fellow North West Counties Premier side Litherland Remyca in the first qualifying round.

"I thought we were comfortable. We were a bit frustrated at half time that we hadn't scored more goals," said 1874 co-manager Wayne Goodison, whose fellow co-manager Paul Bowyer is currently self isolating.

"We had so many chances in that first half to finish the game off.

"That meant Selby were still in it and they played with lots of spirit, as we knew they would, but ultimately we were comfortable and it was a good day for us because we had a clean sheet, a decent win and at times I thought some of the play was really, really good."

1874 begin their league campaign at Barnoldswick Town on Tuesday night.







Additional reporting: Matt Waters