Pete Tonge looks back over Northwich Victoria's home 2-0 loss to league leaders Vauxhall Motors at the end of an emotional week, following club secretary Dave Thomas' death...

 

THIS was a match enveloped in emotion as we honoured the Vics legend that was Dave Thomas, who served the club with distinction for five decades.

The match started evenly with both teams having half chances.

A Motors error at the back in the 7th minute forced Tom Michell into a good interception to deny Vics an open goal, whilst Buckley for Motors dragged a shot wide of the Vics goal in the 12th minute.

Motors slowly started to dominate play though and Chris Cheetham made an impressive double save to deny Ben Holmes a goal.

Motors' best chance came in the 22nd minute as a corner was whipped into an unmarked Mitchell at the far post who couldn't quite connect as he slid in.

Vics were standing firm at the back despite the Motors forcing 5 successive corners  and as the half wore on, they started to threaten again with Harvey Whyte forcing McGlenaghan in the Motors' net into a great save in the 38th minute.

HALF-TIME: Northwich Vics 0 Vauxhall Motors 0

The second half proved to be short on chances at either end, with defences dominating despite plenty of good build up play.

Birchall had a shot over the bar whilst for Motors, Harwood's header was easily collected by Cheetham.

The game looked destined to be heading for a goalless draw before in the 81st minute, Bobbie McDonnell did well down the right before pulling the ball back across goal for Lewis Buckley to slam the ball into the net.

A bitter blow for Vics, and it got even worse two minutes later as Burkey crossed hard and low from the left, and McDonnell was there to tap into the net from close range. 

Match facts:

Northwich Victoria 0 Vauxhall Motors 2

North West Counties Premier Division

Saturday 29th October 2022 

At U Lock It Stadium, Northwich

Vics: Cheetham,  Camozzi,  Allen (Chingwaro 80')  Black, Barski, Bennett, Jackson M ( Mather 60'), Dunn, Whyte, Birchall, Dudley. Unused subs: Soman Muhammad, Walker

GOALS:

Vauxhall Motors: Buckley 81', McDonnell 83'

NEXT MATCH:

League, Wednesday, home v Kendal Town, 7.45pm