LEAGUE leaders Northwich Victoria stretched their unbeaten run to 10 matches thanks to a 3-1 success at home against Winsford United on Wednesday night.
Their win, sealed with three goals in an 18-minute spell in the second half, extended Vics’ lead at the top of the Midland League Premier Division to six points, while Blues remain fourth.
Ollie Pope gave the visitors a 30th-minute lead but strikes from Harry Davis (57mins), Mamadou Djabi (60) and Sean Cooke (75) settled the ‘derby’ outcome at the APEC Taxis Stadium in Runcorn.
It was a closely fought match decided by Vics turning up the heat during the period of their goal rally.
Winsford had the better of things in the first half and started the match brightly.
A Karl Rogers throw was put into the area and Reece Davies flicked the ball into the side netting, then Sam Latham curled an effort just over the bar.
Winsford took the lead as Vics’ keeper Andre Mendes came running out of his goal but didn’t get to the ball, which left Pope the chance to curl the ball into an empty net.
Vics started to respond and both Cooke and Ryan Atkinson had shots well turned away for corners as half-time approached. Vics came out firing after half time.
Djabi should have scored but fired over from close range as the ball fell to him at the far post.
He then headed just over from the middle of the box, before firing wide after good work from Atkinson.
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Vics finally equalised when a corner was flicked on and fell nicely for Davis to side foot the ball into the net.
Three minutes later, it was two for Vics as Cooke swung a free kick into the box and Djabi made no mistake with a rocket of a header.
Winsford tried to respond quickly and Mendes was forced into a great save to push out a curling shot from Matty Birchall which was heading for the top corner.
Vics were buoyant now though and Cooke put the icing on the cake with a goal of sheer quality as he collected the ball 30 yards out, turned and sent a delightful chip over the keeper’s outstretched fingertips.
Winsford never stopped trying and tested Mendes again as he saved low from Leo Tanswell, who then cracked a powerful shot against the post as Winsford pushed Vics right to the end.
Vics visit Lye Town on Saturday, while Blues head to Studley, both 3pm kick-offs.
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