Pete Tonge's in-depth look back at Northwich Victoria's 3-1 win at Lower Breck which Steve Wilkes hailed as one of the proudest in his time as manager...

A MATCH which Vics looked likely to lose as they went down to 10 men as Lower Breck equalised, but they then showed some real grit and determination, scored two quality goals and stretched their unbeaten run in the league to 10 games.

Vics started off on the front foot, and took the lead after just 6 minutes when Alex Bennett whipped in a low cross from the left which Joe Camozzi met with a fine finish into the corner of the net for his first goal of the season (and for some time before).

It looked like at this stage that Vics would take control and run out easy winners but Vics took their foot off the pedal and Lower Breck started to press forward.

It was fairly scrappy football but Lower Breck came close to equalising in the 24th minute when Connor McCarthy's fine effort hit the bar.

4 minutes later, Breck threatened again as Cheetham did well to save a deflected shot.

Matty Birchall for Vics then had two efforts just over the bar before Lower Breck's Tom McNamara hammered one against the post on the stroke of half time.

HALF-TIME : Lower Breck 0 Northwich Vics 1

The second half began with Birchall firing a shot over the top, and then Ash Dunn dragging a shot wide when well placed.

However it wasn't long before Lower Breck got the equaliser they deserved as they were awarded a penalty for a push in the box.

Connor Rankin sent Cheetham the wrong way to put Breck on level terms.

To compound Vics' woes, midfielder Harvey Whyte was then sent off for complaining to the the referee too vociferously.

However this seemed to spur Vics on, and they quickly re-took the lead in the 64th minute as a lovely ball from Ash Dunn found Matty Birchall who advanced just into the area and fired past Theo Roberts into the net.

This was Vics' best period as they contained Lower Breck well, and looked comfortable despite being down to 10 men.

They made sure of the three points in the 86th minute when Liam Martin skinned his man down the left, and laid the ball across the box to Christian Mather, who took one touch and fired into the bottom right corner of the net.

Match facts:

Lower Breck 1 Northwich Victoria 3

NorthWest Counties Premier Division

Saturday 8th October 2022

At Anfield Sports & Community Centre

Vics: Cheetham, Camozzi , Barski, Allen (Martin 66') , Black, Bennett, Whyte, Walker, Dunn, Birchall (Mather 84'), Dudley (Siyam Muhammad 90') Un-used subs’ - Jackson M, Soman Muhammad

GOALS:

Lower Breck: Rankin 59 Pen

Northwich Vics: Camozzi 6', Birchall 65', Mather 86'

RED CARD: Whyte 60'

NEXT MATCH: LEAGUE: SATURDAY 15th OCTOBER, away v Wythenshawe Town, 3pm