Northwich Victoria 3 Ashton Athletic 1, match report

AN even first half before Vics took full control in the second.

A slow start to the match, with a distinct end-of-season feel to it.

Vics suffered a setback early on with Harvey Whyte having to go off injured but they took the lead in the 24th minute as Harvey Hayhurst sent a free kick into the box and Matt Dudley glanced a header past Joe Smith in the Ashton net.

Vics then took the foot off the pedal, and allowed Ashton to be take control and it was no surprise when the visitors equalised in the 38th minute through Jack Smith.

Indeed it could have been worse as Ashton had several chances to go into the half time break with a lead.

HALF-TIME: Northwich Vics 1 Ashton Athletic 1

The second half proved different, with Vics looking a different team.

It only took them seven minutes to regain the lead as Ashton conceded a free kick just in from the corner flag, which was whipped in by Hayhurst for Luke Sephton to power an unstoppable header past Smith.

Vics were looking confident now and they went further ahead in the 73rd minute as man of the match Kuda Chingwaro cut in and fired a shot which was blocked but fell back to him to blast the ball home from 12 yards.

It was all Vics now, and it could have been more except for some wasteful finishing.

Ryan Jackson had two shots well saved while Dudley went close with a header.

Once Vics got going, it was a comfortable win for them to send the fans home happy in their last home match of the season, and put Vics up to fourth in the League.

Match facts:

Northwich Victoria 3 Ashton Athletic 1

North West Counties Football League

Saturday 15th April 2023

At U Lock It Stadium, Northwich

Vics: Hamer, Cooney (Camozzi ), Allen, Barski, Hayhurst, Sotona (Jackson), Dunn, Whyte(Walker), Sephton, Chingwaro, Dudley. Sub not used: Clarke

Goals: Vics: Dudley 24', Sephton 52', Chingwaro 73'. Athletic: Smith 38'

Last match of the season: Saturday, Burscough away, 3.00pm kick off