Mid-Cheshire Cup Semi-Final - 1874 Northwich 4 Witton Albion 1
Thu 16th March 2017 | County Cup Competitions | By Ian Templeman
1874 Northwich are in the final of the Mid-Cheshire Cup for the second season in a row, after an outstanding 4-1 win over Witton Albion in the semi-final at the St Luke's Barton Stadium.
Goals from Joe Woolley, Jason Carey, Ryan Mitchell and Jordan Bove rounded off a great night for the Greens, and they can now look forward to a cup final appearance against local rivals Northwich Victoria as they try to retain the trophy.
It was an impressive result for the Greens against opponents who came into the game on the back of five straight wins, and sitting in second place in the Evo-Stik League Division One South, but after weathering some early pressure 1874 soon took a grip on the game, and ended up running out worthy winners.
Witton began well, and the first chance of the game saw Omatola nipping through the home defence and rounding keeper Greg Hall, but a heavy touch at the vital moment put the ball out of play for a goal kick.
But in the 9th minute Witton went ahead, with Karl Noon opening the scoring with a shot that ended up in the net off the far post.
It was a goal that stung 1874 into action and they soon began to apply pressure, and Tom Bailey, Tyler Edwards and Sam Hare all threatened the Witton goal with shots from outside the box.
Just after the half hour Joe Woolley just failed to connect with a flick on from Jason Carey, and a couple of minutes later he saw an effort pushed away by Witton goalkeeper Roberts.
But Woolley's perseverance paid off seven minutes before the break when he slotted home the equaliser after a neat one-two with Jason Carey.
Two minutes before half time, 1874 went ahead when Jason Carey headed home from a Sam Hare corner to send the Greens in with a 2-1 lead at the break.
They picked up from where they left off once the second half began, with Jason Carey and Tom Bailey both coming close in the opening minutes, and then Bailey hit the post with a header although the assistant referee had flagged him offside.
But after Carey was denied by a fine blocking save from Witton keeper Roberts in a one on one just after the hour, 1874 finally got the goal their pressure deserved in the 62nd minute, when Ryan Mitchell tucked away their third goal from close range after Jason Carey had flicked on Sam Hare's corner.
From there on, it was just a case of seeing the game out safely, and any hopes of a late Witton fightback were snuffed out three minutes from time, when Jordan Bove added a fourth goal, firing home after a neat back heel from Ryan Mitchell.
In the final minute Tom Bailey hit the back of the net but was flagged offside, and moments later the final whistle sounded and the celebrations began.
Mid-Cheshire Cup Semi-Final - 1874 Northwich 4 Witton Albion 1
Thu 16th March 2017 | County Cup Competitions
By Ian Templeman
1874 Northwich are in the final of the Mid-Cheshire Cup for the second season in a row, after an outstanding 4-1 win over Witton Albion in the semi-final at the St Luke's Barton Stadium.
Goals from Joe Woolley, Jason Carey, Ryan Mitchell and Jordan Bove rounded off a great night for the Greens, and they can now look forward to a cup final appearance against local rivals Northwich Victoria as they try to retain the trophy.
It was an impressive result for the Greens against opponents who came into the game on the back of five straight wins, and sitting in second place in the Evo-Stik League Division One South, but after weathering some early pressure 1874 soon took a grip on the game, and ended up running out worthy winners.
Witton began well, and the first chance of the game saw Omatola nipping through the home defence and rounding keeper Greg Hall, but a heavy touch at the vital moment put the ball out of play for a goal kick.
But in the 9th minute Witton went ahead, with Karl Noon opening the scoring with a shot that ended up in the net off the far post.
It was a goal that stung 1874 into action and they soon began to apply pressure, and Tom Bailey, Tyler Edwards and Sam Hare all threatened the Witton goal with shots from outside the box.
Just after the half hour Joe Woolley just failed to connect with a flick on from Jason Carey, and a couple of minutes later he saw an effort pushed away by Witton goalkeeper Roberts.
But Woolley's perseverance paid off seven minutes before the break when he slotted home the equaliser after a neat one-two with Jason Carey.
Two minutes before half time, 1874 went ahead when Jason Carey headed home from a Sam Hare corner to send the Greens in with a 2-1 lead at the break.
They picked up from where they left off once the second half began, with Jason Carey and Tom Bailey both coming close in the opening minutes, and then Bailey hit the post with a header although the assistant referee had flagged him offside.
But after Carey was denied by a fine blocking save from Witton keeper Roberts in a one on one just after the hour, 1874 finally got the goal their pressure deserved in the 62nd minute, when Ryan Mitchell tucked away their third goal from close range after Jason Carey had flicked on Sam Hare's corner.
From there on, it was just a case of seeing the game out safely, and any hopes of a late Witton fightback were snuffed out three minutes from time, when Jordan Bove added a fourth goal, firing home after a neat back heel from Ryan Mitchell.
In the final minute Tom Bailey hit the back of the net but was flagged offside, and moments later the final whistle sounded and the celebrations began.
