An unfamiliar tale for 1874

1874 Northwich have never lost their first league game since the club’s formation in 2012.

The start of their sixth season saw a sequence of four successive opening-day wins – which followed a 1-1 draw against Oldham Boro in their inaugural North West Counties League fixture – come to an end.

Perhaps more jarringly, a 6-3 defeat on Saturday marks the first time they have shipped more than four goals in a match with something riding on it.

That reinforces a sense this was an extraordinary result.

Absence makes…

…it obvious how important certain players are to a team.

Jack Pritchard and Lee Jackson were both spectators while they continue to recover after injury, while goalkeeper Greg Hall has of course left 1874 Northwich for Witton Albion this summer.

Together they were three of the five regular starters in a defence that last season conceded fewest goals outside of the teams that were promoted.

Danny Thomas and Matt Russell are not new to the club, but neither has played under Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison for long.

It would be harsh to judge Josh Samberg, who was nervy on his debut, on this performance – particularly as he only joined the club late in pre-season.

Changing shape, and faces

Wayne Goodison has said repeatedly that he wants 1874 to be more flexible tactically, and gave a glimpse of that.

The hosts switched to a three-man defence after sending on Matthew Beadle in the second-half, and moved Callum Gardner into a central position behind a front two of the substitute and Scott McGowan.

They adjusted again when Kyle Riley and Jake Parker made their entrance together for the game’s concluding quarter.

It was partly reactive – 1874 were chasing the game after all – but proof too that the management duo have options they’re willing to choose with a game in progress.

Expect to see it often.

What does this mean for the title race?

Nothing at all in isolation.

How 1874 Northwich react is important, but they won’t play against a forward as ruthless as Craig Cairns every week.

For them this was more a slap in the face; it stung at the time, but they’re very much still standing.

City of Liverpool’s fans greeted the final whistle with chants of ‘We’re gonna win the league’, but with tongues planted firmly in cheeks.

If nothing else, scoring six times against a direct rival for promotion is a boost for confidence ahead of a return to mid Cheshire to play Northwich Victoria on Wednesday night.

It’s not all bad

1874 can be positive about some things.

Callum Gardner was bright, more so before the break, on his first appearance and illuminated the second-half with a stunning free-kick.

His delivery from corners was a feature too, and it isn’t a coincidence that the home team’s two other goals came from that source.

That is encouraging for Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison, who want their side to pose a greater threat from dead balls this season.

Meanwhile Matthew Beadle picked up where he left off too, and scored on his (second) debut.

He lacks sharpness, and has missed a chunk of pre-season after getting married this summer, but he still knows exactly where the net is.