Northwich Victoria v Burscough match report, September 2022

THIS was a match in which Vics started slowly, but gradually eased through to a comfortable victory with three fine goals.

A slow start to the match meant that the first goalmouth action didn't happen until the 16th minute when Harvey Whyte did brilliantly to beat a couple of men and put a cross in which Alex Bennett met with a header which forced a fine save from James Dinely in the Burscough net.

Burscough then went close, as Cheetham's punched clearance was rebounded back and Brandon Barski did excellently to divert the ball just wide of the open goal.

Three minutes later, a fantastic move by Vics, as Bennett found Whyte in the box whose shot was well saved but rebounded to Ryan Jackson who fired over the top when he really should have hit the target. Great chance!

Vics were doing most of the attacking now, and in the 32nd minute, Whyte beat the offside trap down the right and crossed well for Dudley whose shot was well saved.

Five minutes later, Vics finally took the lead, as Tom Walker was set free down the right, got to the by-line and sent a great cross across the box where the in-form Matt Dudley got in front of his man and headed superbly into the net.

Angela Buckley (Image: Angela Buckley)

Vics then thought they had earned a penalty as Harvey Whyte was fouled but the referee after consulting with his liner ruled it was right on the edge of the area. From the free-kick, Barski fired it in low, and Dinely did extremely well to get down low to his right and save.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Burscough nearly levelled as Chris Cheetham made a fantastic save as the ball was heading into the bottom corner.

HALF-TIME: Northwich Vics 1 Burscough 0

After an early half chance for Burscough, Vics dominated the second half, and it was only a matter of time before the second goal arrived in the 59th minute.

Harvey Whyte escaped down the right, and crossed low and hard for the unmarked Ryan Jackson to volley home form 8 yards out. A superb strike.

Ryan Jackson goal, Northwich Victoria v Burscough, September 24, 2022. Picture: Angela Buckley (Image: Angela Buckley)

4 minutes later, a free kick from 22 yards out slightly to the left of the Burscough box, was struck fiercely by John Black and Dinely did well to get both fists to the ball and clear.

Harvey Whyte then fizzed a shot just wide, before in the 64th minute, Vics made the game safe. A long throw from Bennett caused havoc in the box where Roman Allen headed back to Harvey Whyte to smash the ball into the net.

Vics were looking comfortable now as they played some fine flowing football.

Matt Dudley hit the post with a great strike from wide on the right as he was sent through before Joe Camozzi thought he had scored as he finished off a fine move but the referee called it back for an earlier ( and very dubious) offside.

Burscough did get a consolation goal in the 90th minute, as Vics got sloppy. A mix up between Allen and Cheetham at the back presented Edward Servuts with the easiest of chances whilst in the final minute they also hit the bar with a fine shot.

Too little, too late though.

Match facts:

Vics 3 Burscough 1

North West Counties League Premier Division

Saturday 24th September 2022

At U Lock It Stadium, Wincham

Vics: Cheetham, Jackson R ( Camozzi 76'), Barski ( Murray 85') Allen, Black, Bennett (Dunne 88), Walker, Mather (Jackson M 71') , Dunn (Graham 73'), Whyte, Dudley. Un-used subs - None

GOALS:

Northwich Vics: Dudley 37', Jackson R 59'. Whyte 64'

Burscough: Servuts 90'

Man of the match: Harvey Whyte, an all action and exciting display in a more forward position than usual, capped by a fine goal.

Bookings: Jackson R

NEXT MATCHES:

LEAGUE: WEDNESDAY 28th SEPTEMBER home v LITHERLAND REMYCA LEAGUE: SATURDAY 8th OCTOBER away at LOWER BRECK