LINE-UP Vics’ -
Lawlor, Gamble, Hurst, Clarke, Jacaj, Gardiner, Crane, Lloyd, Hughes, Exell (Smith 62’), Parker (Hamm 62’)
Subs Not used : Saunders, Bennett

GOALS - Studley : Mills 53’

This was a match that Vics will feel aggrieved that they got nothing out of it as they played well, battled hard, had plenty of pressure but just couldn’t score thanks to some great defending, bad luck and poor finishing.

They started well forcing the game onto Studley and had a couple of half chances in the first 5 minutes before Studley gained the upper hand and had their best spell of the match for 25 minutes or so. Indeed Studley hit the bar in the 19th minute, when there was a crazy minute in the Vics’ box with Studley having 4 attempts at goal, as the ball ricocheted around after either being well blocked or striking the woodwork with the final effort being blasted past the post. 5 minutes later, debutant keeper Joe Lawlor produced a magnificent double save as The Bees swarmed all over the Vics. Slowly, Vics started getting back in the match and creating chances of their own. Callum Parker back heeled an effort over the bar after a free kick was floated into the box before Alex Hughes fired just wide in the 35th minute. Hughes then managed to clip a pin point cross from the impressive Ben Crane over the bar from just 5 yards out as Vics pressed for the breakthrough before half time. This very nearly came in the last minute as Crane jinked his way into the box and struck a shot which cannoned back from the right hand post. On the follow up, the ball was crossed back in, and Hughes directed an effort inches wide of the left post.

HALF-TIME : Studley FC 0 Northwich Vics 0

Vics nearly had a great start to the second half after the Studley keeper Brendan Bunn miscued his clearance which fell to Callum Parker who strode forward and fired over the bar from 20 yards out. Two minutes later, in the 53rd minute Studley got the crucial goal as Vics gave the ball away in midfield , Studley broke well, crossed low and John Mills was there to tap the ball in. 5 minutes later, Vics had claims for a penalty as Kev Exell drove into the box and looked to be clipped to the ground as the Studley defender tussled with him, a definite penalty in many eyes but apparently not the referee’s as he booked Exell for simulation…the one thing it definitely wasn’t ! Vics continued to press forward and create chances, Crane fired over from the edge of the area after Hamm laid the ball across to him. Vics’ best chance came in the 89th minute as a scramble in the Studley box ended in a goal bound Hamm shot being deflected just over.

FULL-TIME : Studley 1 Northwich Vics 0

A disappointing result but plenty to be positive about as Vics were high energy, mainly defended well with Jacaj standing out, with just the final touch and a bit of luck missing. A lot better than most of the earlier matches.

NEXT MATCH : Saturday 21st December : Vics v Shifnal Town 3.00pm @ The Barton Stadium, Winsford