LINE-UP Vics’ -
Prior, Sutton, Gardiner, Jacaj, Barlow, Hurst, , Argent-Barnes ( Hayder 88’), Lloyd (Nyamwansi 58’), Clark, Deering ( Deering 64’), Crane (Knight c 88’)

Goals: Northwich Vics : Argent-Barnes 42’, 50’
Atherstone Town : Steele 70’ , Harkin 79’

Although Vics let a comfortable two goal lead slip, there was plenty to be positive about last night’s performance against 3rd placed Atherstone Town. Two goals either side of half time from Matty Argent-Barnes set up Vics nicely before Atherstone came back strongly to grab two goals and claim the draw.
Playing at what will be their “home” ground next season for the first time, Vics started off brightly playing some good flowing football pressurising the Town defence. Will Lloyd showed Vics’ intent after just 2 minutes smashing a volley over the bar after good work by Ben Crane. Atherstone responded by breaking down the right and fired in a low effort which was inches past the post. Sam Deering then curled an shot over the bar whilst Atherstone went even closer when they rattled the crossbar from only a few years out ! Vics now started to become more dominant as the half went on with Argent-Barnes, Deering and Lloyd all going close. Vics eventually got their reward in the 42nd minute when Deering laid in Matty Argent-Barnes down the left side of the box and he finished well into the bottom corner from the angle.

HALF-TIME : Northwich Vics 1 Atherstone Town 0

Vics started the second half as they finished the first. Will Lloyd sent a thundering effort just wide of the post after collecting the ball and driving at goal in the 48th minute. Two minutes later, Vics got their second and what a beauty it was ! The ball was played out to Crane on the right who swung a great ball across field to Argent-Barnes who was free on the left side. He drove into the box, twisted his man inside out and fired past the keeper into the net. Great Goal ! Atherstone strove hard to get back into the match and Vics were indebted to Zac Prior in net just minutes later when he saved brilliantly as Ryan Harkin was one on one with him. Vics then had a great chance to make the match safe in the 62nd minute as Sam Deering was sent through one on one with just the keeper to beat but his first touch was just too hard and allowed Finn Osborn to make the save! Atherstone were pressing Vics back now though and the pressure finally told in the 70th minute when George Steele fired a thunderous effort past Prior from the angle. Vics nearly restored their two goal advantage just 5 minutes later as Argent-Barnes set up Ben Crane on the edge of the area, but his powerful shot was straight at the keeper. Town then grabbed an equaliser when the ball was played into Ryan Harkin at the near post with his back to goal, he turned well and slipped the ball into the net.
Both teams then had chances to gain the lead in the final 10 minutes or so with Vics perhaps going the closest as that man Argent-Barnes was again marauding down the left, saw the keeper off his line and tried an audacious backward lob over his head which went inches past the post.

FULL-TIME : Northwich Vics 2 Atherstone Town 2

Next Matches :

Saturday 12th April HOME v AFC Wulfrunians 3.00pm ( to be played at Winsford United)