Northwich Victoria defeated Charnock Richard 3-0 and here's Pete Tonge's view on the game...

CHARNOCK Richard started the better of the two teams, and Vics keeper Chris Cheetham was called into action early as he blocked Grimshaw's close in effort and then parried Nathan Nickeas' cross-shot away after only 2 minutes.

Lewis Haydock then struck a shot just wide of the goal before Charnock should have taken the lead in the 10th minute. Nickeas found himself in acres of space just inside the penalty area, but his shot hit the post when it looked easier to score.

This seemed to wake Vics up and they took the lead in the 14th minute in spectacular fashion. Alex Bennett's long throw was deflected into Matt Dudley with his back to goal, and he acrobatically did an overhead shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Harvey Whyte then fired a shot past the post for Vics, and Dudley went close again as he curled a shot wide after he was set up by Ash Dunn.

Vics got their second in the 24th minute as Matty Birchall's shot was parried out by Eastham in the Charnock net, and Dudley was on hand to slam the ball high into the net.

Vics were in command now with a high workrate not allowing Charnock a chance to get back in the match.

Damola Sotona was looking dangerous, continually probing the Charnock defence, and went close just before half time as he fired a shot just over the bar.

HALF-TIME: Northwich Vics 2 Charnock Richard 0

Charnock tried to take the game to Vics as the second half started, but shot themselves in the foot just 5 minutes in, as Vics pressed high and harried a defender into a poor pass which Dudley picked up, ran down the right side of the area, and superbly laid the ball across to the waiting Birchall in front of goal, who doesn't miss chances like that. 3 nil to the Vics.

Sotona had another shot just over the bar in the 56th minute while just 2 minutes later, he was denied by a great block by a Charnock defender.

Tom Walker then smashed a shot just wide as Vics continued pressing while Charnock were offering virtually nothing up front as Grimshaw and Nickeas were well shackled by Brandon Barski and Allen.

Whyte was close to turning the ball home from a Jackson cross, while Barski struck a free-kick high over the bar as the match eased to a close.

This was probably Vics' best performance of the season, strong in defence, hard working in midfield, and clinical up front. An all round team performance which moves them up to sixth with matches in hand on all above them.

Match facts:

Northwich Victoria 3 Charnock Richard 0

At U Lock It Stadium, Wednesday 23rd November 2022

North West Counties League Premier Division

Vics: Cheetham, Camozzi, Allen , Barski, Bennett, Whyte ( Mohammad So 83), Dunn ( Mather 77'), Walker ( Jackson M 63'), Sotona ( Chingwaro 63'), Birchall , Dudley (Mohammad S1 81')

GOALS: Dudley 14', 24', Birchall 50'

NEXT MATCHES : LEAGUE : SATURDAY 26th NOVEMBER away v PADIHAM 2.00pm LEAGUE : WEDNESDAY 30th NOVEMBER home v SQUIRES GATE 7.45pm