Northwich Victoria 1 Litherland REMYCA 0, match report

Peter Tonge tells the full story of Northwich Victoria's 1-0 win over Litherland REMYCA on Saturday

A VICTORY made from perseverance and determination in a game that could have gone wither way.

An even start to the match as first Matty Birchall for Vics and then Foy for Litherland both had shots that went over the bar from range in the first five minutes.

Chances were few for either team with lots of midfield endeavour but little to threaten upfront.

Vics’ first real effort came after 21 minutes having earned a free kick outside the area, which Ryan Winder fired in and Ryan Jones did well to parry away and it was eventually cleared.

Two minutes later, Birchall and Matt Clarke teamed up well together, but Birchall’s final shot was tame.

However, his next effort just a minute later deserved a goal and he thundered a shot in which Jones in the Litherland net did extremely well to tip over the bar.

Next it was Litherland’s turn to test Chris Cheetham as a powerful shot was fired in, forcing a fingertip save from the Vics keeper.

Litherland then had a great chance from a corner as Karl Clair rose unmarked but his header was blocked away for another corner.

Then the final action of the half came as Winder again forced a fine save from Jones as he fired in a shot from 20 yards.

Vics started the second half at a faster pace and with more purpose – Clarke smashed a half volley over the bar before in the 53rd minute, Joe Camozzi neatly played Luke Sephton in down the right side of the area and his angled shot crashed against the post.

The game was still open though, and Litherland kept pushing forward and looking dangerous as they broke.

However, Vics were having more of the play with Clarke driving them forward from midfield.

They went close again in the 64th minute as a free-kick was angled in from the left and Brandon Barski flicked a header just wide of the far post.

Three minutes later, a quick counter by Vics led to Birchall heading towards goal but he was crudely brought down by a desperate Litherland tackle when it looked like he would be one-on-one with the keeper. Litherland were now being restricted to the odd long range shot and hopeful crosses, with Vics continually pressing but not creating any real clear-cut chances.

Winder and then Adam Owen had efforts straight at the keeper as Vics got closer but Litherland weren’t out of it, and threatened as they broke and created a chance for Foy but he fired straight at Cheetham at close range.

Perseverance finally paid off and Vics broke through in the 88th minute as a corner was floated in, Litherland failed to clear and Sephton was there to gleefully slam the ball into the back of the net.

There was still time for Litherland to come back however and in the first minute of injury time, they hit the bar with a tremendous effort from 25 yards.

A close call but Vics hung on to take the 3 points which their determination and perseverance just about deserved.

Check out match action photos courtesy of Angela Buckley below