AN intriguing ‘derby’ awaits on Saturday when Northwich Victoria visit Winsford United, kick-off 3pm.
Vics currently lead the way in the Midland League Premier Division, while promoted Blues have also made a strong start to the campaign and sit in seventh place.
Winsford will go into the contest buoyed by their win at Barnoldswick Town on Saturday, which saw them progress to the third round of the FA Vase for the second season on the spin – and equalling their record run in the competition.
They can now look forward to a home tie against Prestwich Heys on Saturday, December 6, and will carry some confidence into their crunch clash with a Vics side co-managed by their former boss, Lee Duckworth.
However, Vics gave up a 2-0 lead at lower league Droylsden to crash out of the Vase on Saturday and then lost in the Midland League Cup at Stone Old Alleynians on Tuesday night.
So The Trickies will arrive at Barton Stadium – the ground they shared with Winsford until moving to Runcorn Linnets’ stadium for the start of this season – hurting from their recent cup form and looking to get themselves back on track.
Vics will then be back in action next Tuesday when they host Romulus at the Apec Taxis Stadium.
Pete Tong’s verdict on Vics’ 3-1 defeat against Stone Old Alleynians in the Midland League Cup at Newcastle Town FC...
A much-changed Vics team crashed out of the Midland League Cup in pouring rain after a lacklustre performance against Stone.
What can be said about the first half? Well, very little indeed as not a lot happened!
Ben Crane had a header saved after a good cross by Max Sutton, while Jefferson Abreu was the victim of two poor tackles, neither of which resulted in yellow cards.
Indeed, the second one by the keeper when Abreu was through on goal could well have been a straight red.
Matty Clarke and Mikey Lawson were then shown yellows for very similar tackles later.
That was about it, an uneventful half of football in dismal conditions with a poor referee.
The second half proved a brighter affair for Stone at least as Vics gifted them a goal in the first minute as a shot by Dorian Jedrzetczyk hit the post, the rebound was played back to keeper Andrew Jones who belted the ball against Matty Clarke and the ball ended up in the net!
Three minutes later, Vics were level, as Abreu fired a superb 25-yard free kick into the corner of the net.
The rain was still lashing down making conditions difficult and Stone were dealing with it better.
They went ahead after 59 minutes after a good move down the right led to a low cross which was finished well by Jedrzetczyk.
Vics were creating little up front and Stone extended their lead in the 78th minute as Jack Bowater curled a beauty into the net from 30 yards out.
This effectively finished the match as Stone closed the remaining time out well.
A poor match in general, though there were two great goals, one for each team.
Least said the better about the weather and the referee, whom the Vics have had the misfortune to suffer before. No complaints about the result, best team won!
