THE build up to the 2022/23 season for 1874 Northwich started with a resounding 4-0 win at Llandudno FC, writes Luke Reynolds.

1874 put in a pleasing performance on a sunny day on the North Wales coast, with Matt Woolley (penalty), Jack Irlam, Joe Woolley and Fenton Green scoring the goals.

A decent crowd of 225 saw 1874 Northwich start quickly and they stormed into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes at the OPS Wind Arena.

The first goal came through a fine Joe Woolley break that saw Seasiders’ full back Morgan Owen commit a foul and up stepped Matt Woolley to coolly score the first 1874 goal of the new season.

Northwich Guardian: Matt Woolley celebrates the first goal. Picture: Luke ReynoldsMatt Woolley celebrates the first goal. Picture: Luke Reynolds

The second goal came on 15 minutes as the dangerous Ash Woods whipped in a cross from the right which the home defence could not clear and Jack Irlam neatly finished from just inside the box.

It was all 1874 in the first half and from a corner in the 34th minute the visitors should have scored another but Kenzie O’Neill was unlucky to see his shot come off the woodwork, with the home keeper well beaten.

Northwich Guardian: Kenzie O’Neill on a break. Picture: Luke ReynoldsKenzie O’Neill on a break. Picture: Luke Reynolds

Then, 1874 grabbed a third goal from Joe Woolley on the stroke of half time after a mix-up in the Seasiders defence.

The second half provided good flowing football, with Llandudno almost pulling a goal back after 55 minutes with an angled shot from Marc Williams.

Both teams made substitutions and each side was looking dangerous going forward with Jamie Reed for 1874 and home forward Cavanagh unlucky not to add to the score.

However, it was 1874 that grabbed a further goal in the last minute as youngster Allen played a fine through ball for Green to run on to and slot confidently past the keeper.

The next pre-season 1874 Northwich match is away to Winsford United FC tomorrow, Tuesday, kick-off 7.30pm.

1874 Northwich: Aghayere, Buckley, Hough, Fenton, Jones, Green, J Woolley, M Woolley, Woods, Irlam, O’Neill. Subs: Walker, Foulds, Marrow, Reed, Noble, Allen, Trialist.