Pete Tonge gives his verdict on Northwich Victoria’s 1-1 draw at AFC Wulfrunians…

A match in which both teams had periods of dominance, and a draw was a fair result.

Vics started where they had left off in midweek against 1874 Northwich, and forced two corners in the first three minutes with the second resulting in a Brandon Barski shot flying high over the bar.

AFC Wulfrunians responded with an angled shot from Maslen-Jones whistling past Vics’ post a few minutes later.

Vics went close in the 21st minute as a good move led to the ball being passed to Kobe McWilliams on the edge of the area who was unlucky to see his shot beat the keeper but cannon off the post.

After this early dominance from Vics, AFC Wulfrunians started to have more of the ball and went close in the 33rd minute as Lee went clear in the box but could only slide his shot wide of the far post with only Reid to beat.

However, Wulfrunians did go ahead four minutes later as they were awarded a penalty for handball as Joe Camozzi blocked a shot during a goalmouth scramble.

Munday easily fired the ball into the net sending Adam Reid the wrong way.

It could have been two a couple of minutes later if it wasn’t for Reid’s fingertip save as he pushed a powerful shot from Maslen-Jones over the bar.

Tommy Grindrod was then booked for a foul, and then sent to the sin bin for his reaction just before half time.

A first half in which Vics had the better of the first 25 minutes, with AFC Wulfrunians gradually growing into the match.

AFC Wulfrunians should have increased their lead early in the second half as Lee found himself one on one but somehow managed to put the ball wide from close quarters.

Then in the 67th minute , debutant Ethan Gough floated a long ball over the defence for fellow substitute Callum Parker to run onto and confidently slip the ball past Williams in the Wulfs net to put Vics back on level terms.

Three minutes later, Vics nearly went ahead as a well-worked corner routine led to Unwin firing a shot just past the post.

The match was fairly end to end now with both teams going for the win but both having difficulty retaining the ball.

It was Vics who had the best chance late on as Parker won the ball back near the area, found Niall Sultan who cleverly set up Dylan Switters who had the goal at his mercy but slotted his shot wide of the right post.

Match facts:

AFC Wulfrunians 1 Northwich Victoria 1

Midland League Premier Division

Saturday, January 9, 2024

At Prestige Midlands Arena, Wolverhampton

Vics: Reid, Camozzi, Ogundare, Barski, Clarke, Perry (Gough 45’), McWilliams (Farmer 54’), Grindrod (Parker 62’), Switters, Unwin (Langford 77’), Sultan. Sub not used : Southwick-Williams.

Goals: AFC Wulfrunians: Munday 37. Northwich Vics:  Parker 67.

Next match: January 20, league game away v Shifnal Town, 3pm