IN what can only be described as the perfect game for the neutral, 1874 Northwich produced the epitome of a game of two halves performance in their 3-3 draw at Kidsgrove Athletic.

1874 made only the one change from the side which opened the season with a 0-0 draw against Prescot Cables at the weekend, with Ollie Broe coming in for his first start for the club replacing Manuel Diop Parra at right full-back.

Northwich started as brightly as their orange away kit, Joe Woolley showing a clean pair of heels to the 'Grove' full-back beofre crossing to Jack Irlam, who finished with a low drive from inside the six-yard box.

The lead was doubled moments later.

Jamie Reed opened his account for the season when a neat corner routine caught Kidsgrove cold. Fenton Green pulled it back to Reed who flicked home with a great instinctive finish.

1874 went hunting for more.

Mackenzie O'Neill had a shot blocked on the line by a home defender as they looked to hold on and weather the storm being thrown at them.

1874 got another goal just after the half-hour mark.

Green was another beneficiary of Joe Woolley as he thundered in a beauty of a finish from the edge of the box. The Kidsgrove keeper could only get a slight touch on it but he stood no chance.

After that first half showing, no one in attendance at the Novus Stadium would have seen what was to come.

Kidsgrove came out for the second half with the bit between their teeth, hurrying and pressing '74 at any opportunity.

Their pressure paid 20 minutes into the second half when a deep cross from their full-back found Aaron Bott waiting in the middle who headed past Ellis Allen to get a goal back.

1874 needed to rally and stand strong against what was now unrelenting pressure from the home side who had their tails firmly up.

Another deep cross from the right caused problems and with Allen unable to get anything meaningful on it Bott had an easy task of finishing into an open net.

And almost straight from the restart, Kidsgrove drew level.

Substitute Kieran Knapper advanced into space, he had time to take aim and drive a low bullet of a finish which found its way into the net off the inside of the post.

1874 made some changes.Sam Adetiloye and Ash Woods were introduced from the bench to try to and swing the game back the way of '74.

It nearly paid off as Green's corner flashed across the goal line with Ash Woods inches away from sliding in to finish at the back post.

Woods again was involved when his persistence saw him steal possession from the Kidsgrove keeper outside the area to the right. He cut the ball back aiming for Joe Woolley only for a defender to spare the blushes of the home keeper.

Kidsgrove had the best chance to complete the most unlikely of comebacks.

A loose pass was intercepted by Kieran Knapper, who thumped an effort on goal but Allen was equal to it, producing a quality game-saving stop to keep it level.

The final whistle brought a close to a breath-taking contest. Many positives to take and also many lessons to learn.

With no game this coming Saturday, attention turns to next Tuesday when 1874 host City of Liverpool at Townfield.

1874: Allen, Broe (Marrow '73), Jones, Fenton, Buckley, M. Woolley, Irlam (Adetiloye '76) Green, O'Neill, J. Woolley, Reed (Woods '76) Unused: Noble, Diop Parra.