Northwich Victoria head into tomorrow's home league clash with Longridge Town on the back of a fine 3-1 win against Wythenshawe Town in midweek. Pete Tonge provides his verdict on how they achieved the victory...

THIS was another hard fought but fully deserved victory for Vics against a Wythenshawe side that always looked dangerous and won't be far from the top on this display.

Just the one change in the Vics' line-up with Matty Clarke coming in for the absent Tom Schofield in midfield.

It was Wythenshawe Town who had the first effort of the match with a header from Smalley which went well wide from a corner, but it was Vics who took the lead after just 4 minutes.

Ryan Winder tried a long range shot which Jakovlevs could only parry out straight to Josh Winder who fired in his first goal for the Vics.

Town had another headed effort, this one from Matty Bryan, easily saved by Chris Cheetham in the 11th minute but it was Vics who went further ahead in the 18th minute in a similar manner to the first, but this time it was Josh Winder's shot which could only be pushed out to the waiting Matty Birchall who tapped the ball home.

Town were now pushing forward more and always looked dangerous with quick movement upfront but Vics' defence were standing firm.

A Matty Roberts header for Town, again from a corner went wide and they thought they had scored in the 29th minute as Joel Bembo-Leta forced Cheetham into a fine save before following up and firing into the net, but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the box.

It was all Town now, Wilkinson had a fine effort which just went past the top left hand post, whilst Bryan was close with a lovely chipped shot which wasn't far over.

Bryan then forced Cheetham into a smart save low down from a driven shot in the 38th minute and Vics were happy for half time to come and regroup.

The second half started with Wythenshawe Town on the front foot again, but Vics were restricting their chances better and looking dangerous when they counter-attacked.

Town had an early shot from Spencer which went wide, but Vics should have gone further ahead in the 59th minute when Brad Lynch looked to have timed his run perfectly onto a ball slipped through the defence, and then poking the ball home but he was flagged offside! VAR anyone?

Three minutes later and it was Vics again as Birchall forced Jakovlevs into a fantastic save flicking the ball onto the bar with Lynch just inches away from the loose ball as it dropped down.

Town then got back into the match as an unmarked Matty Bryan powered a near post corner into the net far too easily.

Then in the 86th minute came the moment of the match as Brad Lynch sped down the left channel, looked up and calmly lobbed the keeper from 35/40 yards! What a goal, well worth the admission fee just for that! Look out for it on the NVFC TV Youtube channel.

The game was safe now, and indeed Vics could have had a fourth as Ryan Winder's late shot was direct at the keeper when well placed.

Match facts:

NWC Premier Division

Wednesday 11th August 2021 at Wincham Park, Northwich

Vics: Cheetham, Camozzi, Misambo, Barski, Fleming, Dunn. Winder R , Clarke (Mather 89'), Winder J ( Sherlock 75') Birchall, Lynch ( Kelly 89'). Unused subs’ - Lewkowski, Brew-Butler

Goals: Vics: Winder J 4', Birchall 18', Lynch 84'. Wythenshawe: Bryan 65'

Bookings: Clarke 57', Winder R 69'