1874 Northwich celebrated their 13th birthday with a hard-earned victory over Tividale.
Striker Dale Jennings, returning to the side after missing two matches, got the party started with both goals in the Midland League Premier Division affair.
His winner, a volley inside the box, came in the 83rd minute against physical opponents who had played with 10 men for a large chunk of the game.
The 32-year-old, signed from Flint Mountain in September after spells at professional level with Tranmere Rovers, Bayern Munich, Barnsley and MK Dons earlier in his career, had put the Greens in front from the penalty spot in the 18th minute.
Mike Hayes had been fouled in the box by visiting right-back Tom Rann and up stepped Jennings to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
Tom Rann had an eventful 42 minutes before he was sent off for a second bookable offence.
He received his first yellow card after nine minutes for his part in a fight with 1874’s Jacson Coppack, who was also booked along with Tividale’s Brad Maslen-Jones.
Tividale levelled the score after a break in the 52nd minute through Wayne Mubayi but Jennings came to the fore to put the game to bed in front of a 233 crowd at Townfield.
The result left 1874 seventh in the table.
“It was a tough game and it was always going to be a bit like that,” said 1874 manager Chris Herbert.
“It was scrappy. We knew what they’d be like and I don’t think there’s any love lost between the two teams.
“The sending off was a sending off and he got away with a couple as well.
“I think we were deserved winners. We had a lot of chances and never took them again.
“We need to take more of the chances that we’re getting. We put some perfect deliveries into the box and we’re just not scoring the goals that we should.
“But it’s three points and that’s all it was about today.”
Controversy surrounded Witton Albion’s home 1-1 draw with Bootle in Northern Premier League West.
The linesman’s flag was raised for offside and then taken down in the process of Courtney Duffus scoring the visitors’ equalising goal in the 66th minute.
Joe Duckworth put Witton ahead from the penalty spot in the 41st minute at the second attempt.
The striker’s first effort was saved by Bootle keeper Tony Thompson, but a retake was ordered due to the netminder’s foot being off the line.
Meanwhile, Barnton progressed in the Edward Case Cup South second round thanks to a 2-0 home success against Ashville.
James Sigworth put them ahead after 18 minutes and the result was sealed in the 90th minute courtesy of Callum Parker.
The Villagers exited the Cheshire Senior Cup at the first round stage on Thursday as they fell 2-0 against Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.
Fixtures, Tuesday:
Midland League Premier Division: Northwich Victoria v Romulus.
Fixtures, Saturday:
Northern Premier League West: Witton Albion v Bury.
Midland League Premier Division: Brocton v 1874 Northwich, Hanley Town v Northwich Victoria.
North West Counties League Division One South: Barnton v Eccleshall.
Fixtures, Tuesday, November 25:
Cheshire Senior Cup: Northwich Victoria v Nantwich Town, Winsford United v Runcorn Linnets.
North West Counties League Division One South: Alsager v Barnton
