This is how Pete Tonge saw the Northwich Victoria 1-0 loss to table toppers Avro pan out...

ANOTHER match in which Vics' inability to take their chances cost them dearly as they more than matched Avro, especially in the second half.

Both teams started quietly, content with playing possession football without making the final ball count.

Avro had the first shot in anger, though Rother sent it well wide.

Vics waited until the 13th minute for theirs, as Jackson and Dudley teamed up well, but Dudley's shot was tame and easily saved.

Wallwork fired in a powerful shot for Avro after 22 minutes which whistled just wide of the left post.

Vics were indebted to Ryan Hamer for keeping the scores level in the 36th minute, as he flew to his left to somehow tip a Rother shot over the bar – another fine save from the young keeper who was recently awarded February's Keeper of the Month by the league.

However, there was nothing he could do a few minutes later, as Louis Potts picked up the ball near the edge of the area, sidestepped two defenders and fired a shot into the bottom left corner of the net.

HALF-TIME : Avro 1 Northwich Vics 0

Vics came out for the second half looking more purposeful, and went close to an equaliser in the 49th minute as Harvey Whyte put in a peach of cross which Roman Allen headed powerfully but straight at the keeper.

Avro countered in the 54th minute as the impressive Afuye skinned Clarke down the right before cutting in and curling a shot just over the bar.

Vics were pushing forward more now, and had a great chance in the 59th minute as Barski dinked a great ball through to Ash Dunn, who found Sephton free but his shot was straight at Shenton in the Avro net.

A minute later, a brilliant cross from Whyte found that man Sephton again at the back post but he couldn't get enough power on his header to trouble Shenton.

Brandon Barski was sin-binned in the 71st minute after the liner had brought something to the ref's attention. No idea what was said, but the sin bin rule seems to be very hit and miss when you see and hear the amount of dissent that goes on.

This allowed Avro to take back the initiative, and they thought they had extended their lead in the 80th minute when Potts headed in at the back post but he was ruled offside.

Vics were back to 11 men though now, and a long ball from Hamer was well controlled by Dudley who chested the ball down to Kuda Chingwaro whose shot flew over the bar.

Vics kept pressing but couldn't get the equaliser they probably deserved.

Match facts:

Avro 1 Northwich Victoria 0

North West Counties Football League Premier Division

Saturday, March 18, 2023

At Vestacare Stadium, Oldham

Vics: Hamer, Walker, Allen, Barski, Clarke, Jackson), Dunn, Walker, Whyte, Sephton (Wilkes 85'), Chingwaro, Dudley. Subs not used: Wood, Crellin, Cooney.

Yellow cards: Allen, Walker

Goals: Avro: Potts 40'

Next match: Mid Cheshire District FA Senior Cup Final, Wednesday, home v Winsford United, 7.45pm