1874 Northwich 4 – 2 Hanley Town
Written by Ben Butler
Mike Brandon’s brace ensured 1874 Northwich came from two goals down to win in their North West Counties League Division One clash against Hanley Town.
Brandon, the scorer of 17 league goals this season, struck either side of the break with efforts from Steve Crane and Rick Bailey securing the victory.
James Pointon and Theo Stair had put Hanley 2-0 in front before the comeback.
The result moves 1874 one point behind league leaders Atherton Colleries in third while the visitors remain in fourth.
1874 Northwich are one point off the North West Counties League Division One summit after the 4-2 win against Hanley.
Hanley, who came into the game having lost 4-3 at Atherton LR, made the brighter start and deservedly took the lead 13 minutes in when Crane was dispossessed, leaving Pointon to hit a low shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
The visitors soon extended their advantage on 35 minutes when Pointon played through Stair and the Hanley top scorer hit a shot which crept past Matt Conkie’s right-hand post.
However, 1874 responded strongly and two goals in quick succession before half time turned the encounter on its head.
First, Brandon was left with a tap-in on 42 minutes after great work from Daley Woods on the right hand side, before Crane’s 25 yard wonder strike after 44 minutes sailed into the top corner to stun Hanley.
After the break, 1874 continued to press and their endeavour paid off on 58 minutes when Bailey side-footed home from close range in meeting Stuart Wellstead’s low cross to give the home side the lead for the first time.
The game was wrapped up on 72 minutes after good work from Woods in burning the full back for pace, before crossing for Brandon to apply a cool finish which ensured 1874 a crucial win.
1874 Northwich: Conkie, Mitchell, Stewart, Farnworth, Duckworth, Crane, Woods, Jones (C), Brandon, Bailey, Wellstead
Subs: McGregor, Wooley, Coffin (Wellstead 90), Murphy, Bowyer
Goals: Brandon (42 & 72), Crane (44), Bailey (59)
Hanley: Jackson, Evans, Goodall, Stair, Edwards, Machin (Proffit 68), Morton, Thorpe, Pointing, Stair (C), Vernon
Subs: Proffit, Lewis, Grice, Shankland
Goals: Pointon (13), Stair (35)
Referee: Mike Crusham
Assistant Referees: David Lever and Stephen Jones.
Attendance: 322
1874 Northwich 1 – 1 Oldham Boro
MIKE Brandon came to the rescue to secure a point for 1874 Northwich in a historic first league game attended by a bumper Barton Stadium crowd.
The forward’s equaliser was an instant response after John Greenwood had given Oldham the lead to the delight of the away team.
Little suggested Oldham, nicknamed Town, would take the lead in a match which 1874 largely controlled with the creation of a number of chances.
Before the game, a minute’s applause for local football legend Phil Gee was impeccably observed after the players from both sides were given a rapturous welcome from the 490 strong crowd.
Not long later, the game kicked off, and it was 1874 that made the brighter start with a number of testing balls from Steve Crane coming to nothing.
The early pressure continued, and fans were to witness one of the most eventful periods of the match when Town cleared off the line twice.
The first goalmouth block came from a Ryan Stewart corner on 15 minutes which was swung in but only half-cleared to Lee Hendley, who saw his shot from the edge of the penalty box cleared empathically off the line by the head of Town captain Andrew Smith.
Four minutes later, 1874 were again denied when a cross was parried away by goalkeeper Gareth Fleming straight into the path of Brandon, who saw his shot from close range bundled off the line, as it was about to creep into the bottom corner.
The 1874 supporters were soon gasping for breath again on 27 minutes when once again Brandon was to be denied by the superb Fleming.
The move came when Brandon connected to Dean McGregor’s cross with a looping header seamlessly heading for the top corner, only for Fleming to fingertip the ball expertly over the bar.
After a breathless spell, Town settled down and came into the game a little, creating some dangerous breaks on the counter-attack.
One such break saw Lee Hendley dispossessed in the midfield by Joseph Heap, who sent a long ball straight to the feet of Scott Highton.
With work to do, Highton brushed aside Lee Duckworth and saw his deflected shot from the edge of the area go narrowly wide in Town’s best chance of the half.
The second-half started in the same pulsating fashion as the first period, and it was 1874 that remained in control.
However, they were restricted to a sole long range effort from Crane in a 15 minutes where neither side created any clear-cut openings.
That was soon to change when the home side were again denied by a fantastic stop from Fleming.
This time Anthony Marshall won a free-kick having been fouled by Nick Murphy.
Despite the anticipation, Marshall struck straight into the wall, only for Adam Foy to send the ball back in at the far post to Brandon, whose header was once again tipped over the bar by Fleming.
At this point, the feeling in the ground was that a goal was only a matter of time for 1874, but the script was soon changed when Town took a lead that stunned the home faithful.
The goal came when a cross from the lively Heap was struck powerfully past 1874 keeper Matt Conkie by midfielder John Greenwood on 61 minutes.
The lead was not to last long, three minutes long to be exact.
The hero, Brandon, the scorer of 7 goals in pre-season, swept home a low cross into the bottom corner to equalise after good work from McGregor saw him skip past Deakin and cross from the left-hand side.
Brandon did the rest.
1874 Northwich players celebrate after Mike Brandon’s equaliser
Picture: Ste Smith
Sensing 1874 could win, manager Ian Street brought on speedy wide man Phil Coffin with 68 minutes gone, but the game somewhat petered out.
In fact, it was Town who nearly won the match on 83 minutes when a mistake from centre-back Danny Thomas gifted the ball to Highton, who should have done better than shoot wide after finding himself one-on-one with Conkie.
Both teams tried to find the goal that would win the game without luck until referee Stephen Jones put an end to a historic first game for 1874 Northwich.
Next up for 1874 is an away match at Irlam on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.
1874 Northwich FC: Conkie (GK), Mitchell, Stewart, Thomas, Duckworth, Foy (C), Hendley, Crane, Brandon, Marshall, McGregor
Substitutes: McKay, Coffin (Hendley, 68), Lewis, Bowyer, Leake
Goal: Brandon (64)
Oldham Boro: Fleming (GK), Deakin, Alexsandra, Schofield, Smith (C), Kershaw, Greenwood, Murphy, Heap, Highton, Knowles
Substitutes: Adams, Whiteside, Chadwick
Goal: Greenwood (61)
Booked: Greenwood (62)
Referee: Jonathan Broadhurst
Assistant Referee: Stephen Jones, Peter Rapaport.
Attendance: 490
Match Preview: 1874 Northwich F.C. vs Oldham Boro F.C.
1874 Northwich will play Oldham Boro in their first ever competitive league fixture this Saturday.
The fan-run club formed by their supporters in November will kick the season off with a full squad to choose from at the Barton Stadium, their home after a ground share agreement with Winsford in February.
Manager Ian Street has narrowed his team to 19 players after a hugely impressive pre-season which has seen the new club win five of their seven friendly fixtures, and scoring 18 times in the process.
The most recent friendly saw 1874 draw 1-1 on Tuesday evening against a talented Chester youth team.
Forward Mike Brandon has proved a hit, scoring seven goals which included four against Prestatyn.
Picture: Winford United FC. Former Winsford United forward Brandon has impressed for 1874.
Oldham, nicknamed Town, finished a credible 8th in the North West Counties League Division One last season having amassed a point’s tally of 47.
Town, managed by Tony Mills, have had also had a good pre-season with three wins from as many games, most notably against FC United.
Kick-off at the Barton Stadium is 3pm.
1874 Northwich Pre-season results:
A Wed 10, 7:30pm Lostock Gralam 1-3 W
A Sat 13, 5:15pm AFC Rushden & Diamonds (Supporters Direct Shield) 0-3 W
A Tues 16, 7:30pm Congleton Town 0-1 W
A Sat 20, 2:30pm Prestatyn Town 0-5 W
A Tues 23, 7:30pm Warrington Town 2-0 L
A Sat 27, 3:00pm Winsford United 5-2 H
H Tues 30, 7:30pm Chester FC IV 1-1 H
Oldham Boro Pre-season results:
A Sat 13, 2:00pm Santos 0-7 W
H Thu 18, 7:45pm FC United 2-1 W
A Sat 27, 3:00pm Old Standians 1-3 W
1874 Northwich from;
Manager: Ian Street
Goalkeepers: Matt Conkie, Adam Leake
Defenders: Lee Duckworth, Jack McKay, Danny Thomas, Ryan Mitchell, Paul Bowyer, Dave Tickle
Midfielders: Paul Lewis, Anthony Marshall, Ryan Stewart, Ste Crane, Kyle Wilding, Adam Foy
Forwards: Lee Hendley, Mike Brandon, James Marrow, Phil Coffin, Dean McGregor
Oldham Boro from;
Manager: Tony Mills
Assistant Manager: John Lynch
Goalkeepers: Gareth Fleming, Danny Pearson,
Defenders: Justin Adams, Tony Deakin, Damien Schofield, Andy Smith
Midfielders: Nathan Adams, Ryan Alexandra, Carl Dean, Matty Knowles, Nick Murphy, Will Buckley
Forwards: Ryan Fagan, Joe Heap, Lee Knowles
Rest of the squad: Dan Whiteside, Lee Bancroft, Matty Piotrowski, Danny Davies, Danny Lafferty, Jordan Dainty, Lee Deakin, Thomas Elford
Winsford United 2 – 5 1874 Northwich FC
A MIKE Brandon double ensured 1874 Northwich secured a comfortable friendly win at the Barton Stadium home these two clubs share.
The prolific forward has scored seven goals in five pre-season games after striking four times at Prestatyn last Saturday.
1874 boss Ian Street went for a strong starting 11 which included the 19 players announced in the squad for the upcoming season.
New Winsford manager Eddy Haslam fielded a side largely made up of trialists after the departure of Lloyd Morrison who took 12 first team players with him to Mossley.
The difference in quality between the sides showed in a first half which saw 1874 dominate against their higher division opponents.
However, it did not take 1874 long to take the lead when four minutes in Brandon scored the first of his two goals after taking the ball round Blues keeper Jones and slotting home.
1874 remained in control, and it was soon 2-0 on 15 minutes when Brandon controlled beautifully with his feet a long ball which had caught the Blues defence out, before rolling the ball calmly under a keeper he had found himself one-on-one with.
The Blues afternoon got worse on 30 minutes when 1874 midfielder Lee Hendley drilled home a low shot into the bottom corner of the net for 3-0.
After scoring a goal, Hendley played his part in the fourth goal of the afternoon for 1874 when his cross from the left fell to Brandon who curled a teasing ball back into the box which saw centre-half Danny Thomas slot home off the half volley.
Such was their dominance, 1874 could have added to their lead before half-time when a mistake from Blues centre-back Jones gifted Brandon a chance to make it five, but this time the Blues keeper was equal to his efforts after he had found himself through on goal.
In contrast, the second period produced a far more even encounter with a much improved Blues performance.
Two minutes into the second half the Blues were presented with a chance to reduce the arrears from the penalty spot after the referee had adjudged Thomas to have pushed in the penalty box.
Walcott obliged with a well-placed penalty kick past 1874 keeper Matt Conkie to make it 4-1.
The Blues battled to get themselves back into the game without any clear openings, but did manage to reduce the deficit further when an unmarked Lane headed home from a corner on 79 minutes.
Unfortunately for the Blues there was to be no unlikely comeback and instead 1874 added a fifth 88 minutes into the game.
The goal came from substitute Phil Coffin’s corner which he had appeared to over hit, only for Paul Bowyer to head back into the box where Thomas was there to glance a header into the back of the net.
The strike capped off an excellent afternoon for 1874 which saw Street’s men claim their fourth win in five pre-season games in front of an impressive crowd of 198.
Teams
1874 Northwich: Matt Conkie (GK), Ryan Mitchell (Wilding 75), Ryan Stewart, Danny Thomas, Lee Duckworth (Bowyer 75), Adam Foy, Lee Hendley (Coffin 75), Ste Crane, Mike Brandon (Lewis 75), Anthony Marshall (McKay 75), Dean McGregor
Substitutes: Paul Bowyer, Jack McKay, Kyle Wilding, Paul Lewis, Phil Coffin
Goals: Brandon (4 & 15), Hendley (30), Thomas (39 & 88)
Winsford United: Jones, Banda, Lane, Jones, Smith, Rothwell, Jennings, Mac, Zajac, Walcott, Botwe
Substitutes: Herd, Cromption, Queeley, Mehmet, Ingham
Goals: Walcott (47), Lane (79)
Attendance: 198
Prestatyn Town Reserves 0 – 5 1874 Northwich
FOUR goals from Mike Brandon ensured 1874 Northwich coasted to their fourth pre-season victory in as many games in sunny North Wales.
The number nine exploded in a devastating 30 minute spell at the start of the second half which saw 1874 score all their five goals.
The Seasiders played a mixture of under 21 and reserve players as well as four first team regulars with their Europa League Second Qualifying Round game against Croatian side FC Rijeka in mind.
It took a while for the quality difference between the sides to show after a dour first half in which neither side created many openings.
Chances were at a premium and Anthony’s Marshall’s 25 yard shot which narrowly went wide and Brandon’s strike from the edge of the box into the keeper were the only memorable moments of a period which 1874 edged.
However, the difference in quality between the sides started to show in the second period with 1874 taking the lead on 51 minutes when a Lee Hendley cross left Dean McGregor with an easy tap-in at the back post despite the best efforts of the Seasiders goalkeeper who got a touch to the ball.
Four minutes later it was 2-0 when this time McGregor was the provider of a ball that Brandon rolled in from close range.
On the hour, 1874 made it 3-0 when another cross from Hendley was this time headed home expertly into the top corner of the net by Brandon.
A dominant 1874 continued to find space against a depleted looking Prestatyn side and on 69 minutes, Marshall sent through Brandon who slotted empathetically home after being one-on-one with the keeper.
There was still time for 1874 to find a fifth and Brandon to get his fourth goal of the afternoon on 73 minutes when Brandon again nodded home from susbstitute Phil Coffin’s cross.
Rout completed and job done to leave 1874 fans in a party mood on the day of the Prestatyn carnival.
Bastion Road, home of Prestatyn Town FC.
Picture: Groundhopping blog
1874 Northwich FC: Conkie (GK), Mitchell, Tickle, Bowyer, Duckworth, Crane, Hendley, McKay, Brandon, Marshall, McGregor
Substitutes: Hadzik, Coffin, Wilding, Marrow
Lostock Gralam 1 – 3 1874 Northwich FC – Pre-season match
1874 NORTHWICH powered to a comfortable victory in their first ever game since forming as a new club.
The fan-owned outfit, formed in November by their supporters, were applauded on to the Park Stadium pitch by a 400 strong crowd before the teams kicked off.
Little than two minutes had gone and 1874 fans were silenced when Lostock took an early lead. The goal came when a free kick taken from the right hand side near the halfway line floated into the 1874 penalty box, evading everyone before Sam Wakefield looped a shot past goalkeeper Matt Conkie for 1-0.
The Grey Lambs lead did not last long with 1874 equalising on 13 minutes. Anthony Marshall was the scorer when his shot deflected into bottom left hand corner of the net to the delight of the 1874 faithful.
Drawing level appeared to inspire 1874 and they were soon in front when 29 minutes in James Marrow swept home a low cross into the bottom left to make it 2-1.
1874 remained on top for the remainder of the first period before manager Ian Street made nine changes to his team for the second half as he bid to give the trialists a run-out.
The changes did not affect the 1874 momentum and the away side were 3-1 up two minutes into the second half. A long ball from keeper Mike Langley was flicked on into the path of forward Mike Brandon, who took the ball before darting past his marker and sliding the ball under the feet of the Lambs keeper.
With a two goal deficit, 1874 continued to dominate the rest of the second period and playing some nice passing football in a very encouraging first outing.
1874 Northwich will look to continue this momentum with an away trip at Widnes Vikings to compete in the Supporters Direct Shield against fellow supporters-owned AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday, kick off, 5:15pm.
A coach Widnes bound will leave the Memorial Hall at 3:30pm, with the cost being £8 return for adults and concessions.
Places can be reserved by e-mailing Brian Edge at brian.edge2@btinternet.com.
Players from both teams prepare to kick-off at the start of the game.
Photo: Jack Owen
1874 Northwich first half team: Matt Conkie (GK), Ryan Mitchell, Dave Tickle, Danny Thomas, Lee Duckworth, Ste Crane, Lee Hendley, Anthony Marshall, James Marrow, Ryan Stewart, Paul Coffin.
Goals: Marshall (13), Marrow (29)
1874 Northwich second half team: Mike Langley (GK), Ryan Mitchell, Andy Hadzik, Jon Jones, Paul Bowyer, Paul Lewis, Kyle Wilding, Anthony Marshall, Mike Howarth, Mike Brandon, Jake Linaker.
Goal: Brandon (47)
Attendance: 389 (guests taking crowd over 400).
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Tom Butler for writing the notes for this report as I wasn’t at the game and Vicki England for providing the teams, goal scorers and attendance.
New club set to play first ever game in Northwich
1874 NORTHWICH will start their inaugural season with a friendly match against rivals Lostock Gralam.
The fan-run club, formed in November 2012, are due to face the Lambs on Wednesday at their ground behind the Slow and Easy pub, kick off, 7:30pm.
1874 Northwich will play their first ever game in Northwich.
Picture: Flickr
This encounter comes after a clash scheduled on Sunday against Winsford United was cancelled due to work that has been going on for weeks to improve the pitch at the Barton Stadium.
A further pre-season fixture against fellow fan-owned outfit AFC Rushden & Diamonds has been moved to Widnes Vikings for the same reason.
The Trust are also looking at providing transport for fans to both the games at Prestatyn and Widnes.
Pre-season friendly match fixtures
Wednesday 10 July K/O 7:30pm – (away) – Lostock Gralam FC – Friendly We will have a souvenir brochure on sale at the ground for this game
Saturday 13 July K/O 5:15pm – (AT WIDNES) – AFC Rushden & Diamonds – SD Shield
Tuesday 16 July K/O 7:30pm – (away) – Congleton Town
Saturday 20 July K/O 3.00pm – (away) – Prestatyn Town FC
Tuesday 23 July K/O 7:30pm – (away) – Warrington Town
Saturday 27 July K/O 3:00pm – (BARTON STADIUM) – Winsford United
Tuesday 29 July K/O 7:30pm – (HOME) – Chester XI
Home date for first ever league fixture
1874 NORTHWICH will start their inaugural season with a home clash at the Barton Stadium against Oldham Boro on Saturday 3 August.
The game will be the fan-run clubs first league game in the North West Counties League following their formation in November 2012 after a unanimous vote from supporters to break away from their original club, Northwich Victoria.
Northwich’s opponents have changed their names three times having been founded in 1964 as Oldham Dew FC, before switching to Oldham Town in 1985, and finally adapting Oldham Boro in 2009.
The club nicknamed Town, finished 8th in the North West Counties League Division One last season.
Oldham Boro will be the first opponents of 1874 Northwich FC.
Picture: Pitchero.com
However both clubs will have to wait for the announcement of their remaining fixtures.
Commenting on the dates for the remaining fixtures in the NWCL, league fixtures secretary John Reid, said: “After sorting out opening day fixtures, I have now just been given the dates in August for Evo-Stik League clubs who ground share, but will have to wait until sometime in July for the dates affecting these clubs for the rest of the season.
“I will be working on the NWCFL fixtures for the rest of August during week commencing July 1, and these will be published on Monday 8 July.
“The Conference are producing their fixtures on July 5, and the knock on effect of this, along with the FA Cup and FA Vase draws which are also taking place in early July, means that the fixtures for the remainder of the season will be worked on after these fixtures are known.
“This is the best I can do to get clubs started, and it is the same as we did last season”.
Below are the opening day fixtures:
Saturday 3 August
Premier Division
Abbey Hey v Runcorn Linnets
AFC Blackpool v Congleton Town
Alsager Town v Silsden
Barnoldswick Town v Maine Road
Bootle v Colne
Glossop North End v Ashton Athletic
Runcorn Town v Bacup & Rossendale Borough
St Helens Town v Norton United
Stockport Sports v Squires Gate
West Didsbury & Chorlton v AFC Liverpool
Wigan Robin Park v Winsford United
First Division
1874 Northwich v Oldham Boro
AFC Darwen v Northwich Flixton Villa
Ashton Town v Eccleshall
Atherton Collieries v Irlam
Hanley Town v Chadderton
Holker OB v Atherton LR
Leek CSOB v Nelson
Rochdale Town v Formby
Widnes Vikings v Cheadle Town
No Game: Daisy Hill
Reserve Division
Cheadle Town v AFC Darwen
Irlam v Glossop North End
New Mills v Silsden
No Game: Padiham, Barnoldswick Town and West Didsbury & Chorlton
Call for more volunteers to help in club shop
A TRUST board member has urged fans of 1874 Northwich FC to volunteer in a proposed club shop.
Supporters are being encouraged to borrow or donate items such as tables, chairs, three tailor manikins for displaying the teams’ kit, and anything else which may be considered useful.
Membership Secretary Tony Fallows, who posted the appeal on the fan-run clubs message board, said: “The items are needed so that we can sit around and talk about 1874 in comfort.
“The aim of the shop is for it to be used as a focal point and meeting place for existing 1874 fans, a place where residents who are curious to find out more receive a warm welcome, free tea, coffee, and cakes and where we can all buy “stuff” such as season tickets, clothing, and other paraphernalia.
“The most important item though is more volunteers, as any time you can give is important.
“An hour would allow a full day person to have lunch, pick up the kids, or have an extra hour in bed.”
It is hoped the shop will be opened from Wednesday to Friday between 10am and 4pm, whilst it is also intended to be open from 9am until 1pm on a Saturday.
Any fan interested in helping or asking anything can contact Tony via the website, or at 288 London Road, Northwich.
Membership Secretary, Tony Fallows
Picture: 1874 Northwich FC Trust website
Friendly against fellow fan-run club confirmed
1874 NORTHWICH will lock horns with a fan-owned Chester FC XI after a pre-season date was confirmed.
The Conference Premier big boys, who have enjoyed three successive promotions since forming in 2010, are due at Winsford’s Barton Stadium on Tuesday 30 July, kick-off, 7.30pm.
Chester FC players enjoy being crowned Blue Square North champions.
Picture: Flickr
Pre-season games to date:
Sunday 7 July K/O 1pm – (HOME) – Winsford United
Wednesday 10 July K/O 7:30pm – (away) – Lostock Gralam FC
Saturday 13 July K/O 3pm – (HOME) – AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Tuesday 16 July K/O 7:30pm – (away) – Congleton Town
Saturday 20 July K/O TBC – (away) – Prestatyn Town FC
Tuesday 23 July K/O 7:30pm – (away) – Warrington Town
Saturday 27 July K/O 3pm – (HOME) – Runcorn Town FC
Tuesday 30 July K/0 7.30pm – (HOME) Chester FC XI
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