Pete Tonge looks back over Northwich Victoria’s FA Vase exit 3-1 at the hands of AFC Liverpool…

AFTER losing in the FA Cup with a whimper, at least Vics went out of the Vase with a fight and when they learn to defend, they will win more than they lose!

Three defensive errors cost them dearly in the first half, despite them being the better team for long periods of it.

The first came in the seventh minute as a cheap corner was given away and Matty Brown was left unmarked to head home for AFC Liverpool from close range.

Vics pressed forward and Kaleb Parkinson tested McGovern with a stinging effort whilst in the 12th minute, Dylan Switters switched the ball across field to Parkinson who crossed well for Callum Parker to flick a header straight at the keeper.

Sam Unwin was causing them problems down the left, and he forced McGovern into tipping a powerful drive just over the bar in the 23rd minute.

It was virtually all Vics, and Will Lloyd fired a low effort just wide of the left hand post.

AFC Liverpool then had a player sin binned for moaning at the referee, but Vics failed to make the extra man count and indeed in the 41st minute, shocking defending let AFC Liverpool get a  man round the back to cross low for Flight to tap home.

Four minutes later it got worse as Caleb Jones made the most of a short back pass and slotted in goal number three for the Reds.

A first half of some great attacking football but some pathetic defending                                                                          

Vics came out for the second half with fire in their belly and two minutes in, Switters drove forward from the half-way line and fired a great strike from the edge of the area which flew past McGovern into the net.

Unwin was then denied by a great save, while Perry fired just wide as Vics pressed forward.

Lloyd then forced McGovern into a save at the second attempt as he strode forward and struck a good effort goalwards.

Vics kept pressing, and Unwin was inches away from turning in a Perry cross, before Unwin again got in the box on the left and was chopped down. Penalty? Apparently not, but it looked clear cut to most.

Vics were running out of steam now, and AFC were finally controlling the last 10 minutes and nearly had a fourth goal as a header from a corner was cleared off the line.

Match facts:

AFC Liverpool 3 Northwich Victoria 1

FA Vase first qualifying round

At Marine Travel Stadium, Crosby

Friday, August 23, 2024

Vics: Dalton, Russo, Williams, Camozzi, Hurst, Switters, Smith, Lloyd, Unwin, Parkinson (Perry 50’), Parker ( Djabi 58’). Subs not used : Crellin, Bennett, Leeson

Goals:  AFC Liverpool: Brown 7’, Flight 41’, Jones 44’. Vics: Switters 47’

Next match: Monday, home v 1874 Northwich