Vics fan and volunteer Pete Tonge reflects on Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup success at Longridge Town...

VICS progressed to the next stage of the FA Cup after a convincing and deserved win against League rivals Longridge Town.

Overall, it was an excellent performance from Vics although they did manage to make the last 15 minutes more nervy than they should have been.

Rudy Misambo and Brandon Barski at the back were immense, while Matty Birchall did an excellent job as sole striker through the middle.

The match started uneventfully for the first 15 minutes or so, with both teams sussing each other out and content to play the ball around without much attacking threat.

The first chance went to Town in the 15th minute as Jack Anderton won the ball well on the edge of Vics' area allowing Ben Fletcher to set up Moses Yoak for a side footed shot which went just wide of the post.

Vics' first half chance came two minutes later as a long clearance from Cheetham set Ryan Winder free down the left. He crossed low into the box but Vics couldn't get a touch goalwards.

After 24 minutes, a mistake at the back allowed Arek Pociask a shot at goal which went just wide.

Vics however were now starting to dominate the game, and both Jack Fleming and Ash Dunn had shots just over the bar from the edge of the area, while Joe Camozzi cleverly got to the by-line and laid the ball back into the box which caused momentary panic in the Town defence before it was hoofed clear.

Vics were playing well now and it looked over matter of time until they scored.

Misambo failed to get a header on target after a great Brad Lynch cross.

Vics thought they had the breakthrough in the 43rd minute when good play led to Birchall firing in a half volley which Lee Dovey could only push out to Ryan Winder who calmly stepped around the keeper and slotted the ball home.

However the liner decided he had been offside from the original shot...must have been very close!

However, this didn't deter Vics, and they got the reward their play deserved just a minute later as Lynch cleverly played in Ryan Winder who got to the edge of the six yard area before laying the ball across to Dunn at the far post who slotted the ball home to give the Vics a vital lead just before half-time.

Vics started the second half as they finished the first, but they didn't have to wait as long for a goal as in the 50th minute, they won the ball back in midfield and Ryan Winder ( I think) slipped a pass through the defence to leave Birchall one on one with the keeper, and there was only one outcome, 2-0 to the Vics.

Northwich were looking comfortable now and nearly made it three in the 57th minute as Ryan Winder combined with brother Josh, but he was brilliantly denied by keeper Dovey.

Town were trying to play with more urgency now, and in the 68th minute nearly got a way back into the game as a long diagonal ball into the box was heading aimlessly through to the keeper before Fleming's outstretched leg inadvertently diverted the ball inches wide of the post.

Two minutes later, Cheetham flicked a corner away but the ball landed kindly for Pociask who fired a volley in which was deflected wide. The pressure was mounting now.

Town's Andy Leggatt had two headers over the bar in the 78th and 81st minute.

In the 85th minute, Vics had a good penalty shout denied as Josh Winder appeared to be upended in the area, but the referee waved it away and Town broke quickly, which set Jack Anderton away and he cut back inside and curled a shot into the corner of the net to give Longridge some hope.

The last moment of drama came in the second minute of injury time, as the otherwise excellent Misambo miscued a clearance which was heading for the net before Chris Cheetham arrived like superman to punch the ball clear. A close call.

Vics host Wythenshawe Town on Wednesday.

Match facts:

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round at the Mike Riding Ground, Saturday 7th August 2021

Longridge Town...2 Northwich Vics...1

Vics: Cheetham, Camozzi, Misambo, Barski, Fleming, Dunn. Winder R ( Clarke 73''), Schofield (Sherlock 83'), Winder J, Birchall, Lynch ( Mather 79'). Un-used subs: Kelly, Lewkowski

Goals: Longridge Town: Anderton 87'; Northwich Vics: Dunn 44', Birchall 50'

Bookings: Dunn 65', Misambo 79'