Pete Tonge delves into Northwich Victoria’s 1-1 draw at Barnoldswick Town in the FA Cup preliminary round…

A CLOSELY fought contest which could have gone either way, but Vics will be feeling confident for the replay at home on Tuesday night.

Vics started the better and went close in the sixth minute as Sam Unwin linked up well with Alex Bennett down the left and put in a good cross which Marcus Perry flicked just wide.

Town’s first effort, a tame shot, was wide of the post from Gaz Hill.

Twenty minutes in, Ryan Livesey, making his debut for Vics in net, came out to claim a through ball but brought down Brandon Gough instead - yellow card!

Nothing came from the free-kick and three minutes later Vics took the lead as Sam Ogundare brought the ball forwards, found Perry wide who put in a cross which was blocked but Kaleb Parkinson was on hand to fire the rebound into the back of the net.

Vics suffered a setback in the 35th minute as Will Lloyd had to be substituted as he suffered an injury, with Dylan Switters replacing him.

Livesey then had to save a header from a corner before, in the 41st minute, he came racing out of his area again, failed to win the ball and was quite rightly given a second yellow card!

Fortunately Vics had Geo Dalton on the bench, and the unfortunate Switters was the one who had to make way for him.

Dalton was soon called into action as the second half started as he got down quickly to save a driven free kick, then watched as Hill fired one high over the bar a minute later.

Town earned a corner in the 56th minute which was floated to the far post where Bradley Ditch rose highest to head past Dalton to even the game up.

Three minutes later, Town’s Butterfield-Steede was sent off for a headbutt after reacting to a foul so it was 10 against 10.

Vics claimed a penalty as Parkinson looked to have been taken out as he raced into the area, but the referee gave a corner instead.

Vics then had the ball in the back of the net as Unwin slid the ball home, but he was fractionally offside – a close call.

Both teams had chances to win it in the final 10 minutes or so.

Firstly Parkinson drove into the box after beating his man but his curling low effort was well blocked before Roberts for Town skied an effort well over when it looked easier to score.

Hill then headed straight at the keeper after a free kick while Vics had the last chance just into injury time as Matty Clarke smashed a half volley wide of the post.

Match facts:

Barnoldswick Town 1 Northwich Victoria 1

FA Cup Preliminary Round

At Silentnight Stadium

Saturday August, 17, 2024

Vics: Livesey, Ogundare (Russo 74’), Camozzi, Leeson, Bennett (Williams 85’), Perry,  Clarke, Smith, Lloyd (Switters 35’ ( Dalton 43’)), Unwin, Parkinson (Parker 82’). Subs not used: Hill, Crellin.

Goals: Barnoldswick: Ditch (56’). Vics: Parkinson (23’)

Red cards: Livesey for Vics (41’), Butterfield-Steede for Town (59’)

NEXT MATCHES:

Tuesday, FA Cup preliminary round replay, home v Barnoldswick Town, 7.45pm

Friday, August 23, FA Vase first qualifying round, away v AFC Liverpool, 8pm