Buildbase FA Vase 5th Round preview - 1874 Northwich v Chichester City
Thu 1st February 2018 | FA Challenge Vase | By Ian Templeman
Another big cup day awaits 1874 Northwich on Saturday, as they prepare to host Chichester City in the Fifth Round of the Buildbase FA Vase.
It’s a further advance into the unknown for the Greens, who have never been at this stage of the competition before, although they do have two players in their ranks, goalkeeper Greg Hall and midfielder Sam Hind, who were part of the Glossop North End squad who reached the final in 2015.
For Chichester City, it’s also their first ever appearance in the last 16 of the Vase, although they did have a good run last season through to the Fourth Round, where they lost at home to Buckland Athletic.
As was the case in the last round, when 1874 edged past Pontefract Collieries in front of their highest ever attendance for a home game, the tie will be played at Wincham Park, home of Witton Albion.
It certainly has the makings of a fascinating encounter, as both sides come into the game on a good run of form.
Chichester City currently sit in third place in the Southern Combination Premier Division, having suffered just one defeat in a run of 13 games going back to early November.
That one defeat was a rather surprising 5-0 home reverse to Pagham on Boxing Day, but since then, City have bounced back in fine style, racking up five straight wins and only conceding two goals in the process.
However, 1874 have been no less impressive of late, and their defeat to Altrincham in the Cheshire Senior Cup a couple of weeks ago is the only blip in a run of games that has seen them clock up 14 wins in 15.
It’s form that will not have gone unnoticed down in Sussex, and as a result Chichester City are clearly under no illusions about the test that awaits them on Saturday at Wincham Park, and are preparing accordingly.
They are travelling up on Friday afternoon and staying overnight in the area, to avoid a long journey up from the south coast on Saturday morning, and will also be playing in specially sponsored team kits on Saturday, with Portsmouth based A-Boss Scaffolding, run by a former City player James Lacey, being the club's new shirt sponsor for the game.
In an interview on the club website, City manager Miles Rutherford clearly believes that his side are up against formidable opponents.
“We’re not expecting an easy game at all”, he said.
“We know that Northwich will be a very strong side. They’ve made lots of signings recently as well, and we know that we’ve got a very tough game ahead, but it’s something we’re looking forward to.
“The whole club is looking forward to it though. It would be fantastic to get into the last eight. On the day it’s eleven against eleven.
“There’s always a chance, but we’re not expecting an easy ride one bit. We know it’s going to be a really tough game. I’m excited we are playing a very good side.
“They’re an unknown quantity and I’m hoping the players react on the day and we put in a good performance.
“Sometimes everyone has a bad day but if you work hard and you lose the game all you can say is we’ve tried and we’ve done our best. I’m hoping everyone gives me 100% on the day and 100% work rate. I can’t ask for anything more than that”.
In the home camp, 1874 joint-manager Paul Bowyer says everyone at the club is hoping to match the experience of the previous round when Pontefract Collieries were seen off at Wincham Park on the first Sunday in January.
"We're hopeful of replicating the tremendous atmosphere we witnessed in the last round against Pontefract, as the supporters played a huge part in helping us get through”, said Paul.
“The support has been fantastic all season and it's up to us to make sure we do everything we can to play to our potential.
“Any team you play at this stage of the competition are going to be very good, and Chichester are no different. They'll be confident of coming up and beating us, and we know we have to be on our game to get through the tie.
“The lads have been brilliant in the Vase this season and it'll be a great occasion for the club to play in the last 16 so soon after forming.
“If we approach the game in the correct manner and don't get carried away with the occasion, then it promises to be an entertaining tie".
Buildbase FA Vase 5th Round preview - 1874 Northwich v Chichester City
Thu 1st February 2018 | FA Challenge Vase
By Ian Templeman
Another big cup day awaits 1874 Northwich on Saturday, as they prepare to host Chichester City in the Fifth Round of the Buildbase FA Vase.
It’s a further advance into the unknown for the Greens, who have never been at this stage of the competition before, although they do have two players in their ranks, goalkeeper Greg Hall and midfielder Sam Hind, who were part of the Glossop North End squad who reached the final in 2015.
For Chichester City, it’s also their first ever appearance in the last 16 of the Vase, although they did have a good run last season through to the Fourth Round, where they lost at home to Buckland Athletic.
As was the case in the last round, when 1874 edged past Pontefract Collieries in front of their highest ever attendance for a home game, the tie will be played at Wincham Park, home of Witton Albion.
It certainly has the makings of a fascinating encounter, as both sides come into the game on a good run of form.
Chichester City currently sit in third place in the Southern Combination Premier Division, having suffered just one defeat in a run of 13 games going back to early November.
That one defeat was a rather surprising 5-0 home reverse to Pagham on Boxing Day, but since then, City have bounced back in fine style, racking up five straight wins and only conceding two goals in the process.
However, 1874 have been no less impressive of late, and their defeat to Altrincham in the Cheshire Senior Cup a couple of weeks ago is the only blip in a run of games that has seen them clock up 14 wins in 15.
It’s form that will not have gone unnoticed down in Sussex, and as a result Chichester City are clearly under no illusions about the test that awaits them on Saturday at Wincham Park, and are preparing accordingly.
They are travelling up on Friday afternoon and staying overnight in the area, to avoid a long journey up from the south coast on Saturday morning, and will also be playing in specially sponsored team kits on Saturday, with Portsmouth based A-Boss Scaffolding, run by a former City player James Lacey, being the club's new shirt sponsor for the game.
In an interview on the club website, City manager Miles Rutherford clearly believes that his side are up against formidable opponents.
“We’re not expecting an easy game at all”, he said.
“We know that Northwich will be a very strong side. They’ve made lots of signings recently as well, and we know that we’ve got a very tough game ahead, but it’s something we’re looking forward to.
“The whole club is looking forward to it though. It would be fantastic to get into the last eight. On the day it’s eleven against eleven.
“There’s always a chance, but we’re not expecting an easy ride one bit. We know it’s going to be a really tough game. I’m excited we are playing a very good side.
“They’re an unknown quantity and I’m hoping the players react on the day and we put in a good performance.
“Sometimes everyone has a bad day but if you work hard and you lose the game all you can say is we’ve tried and we’ve done our best. I’m hoping everyone gives me 100% on the day and 100% work rate. I can’t ask for anything more than that”.
In the home camp, 1874 joint-manager Paul Bowyer says everyone at the club is hoping to match the experience of the previous round when Pontefract Collieries were seen off at Wincham Park on the first Sunday in January.
"We're hopeful of replicating the tremendous atmosphere we witnessed in the last round against Pontefract, as the supporters played a huge part in helping us get through”, said Paul.
“The support has been fantastic all season and it's up to us to make sure we do everything we can to play to our potential.
“Any team you play at this stage of the competition are going to be very good, and Chichester are no different. They'll be confident of coming up and beating us, and we know we have to be on our game to get through the tie.
“The lads have been brilliant in the Vase this season and it'll be a great occasion for the club to play in the last 16 so soon after forming.
“If we approach the game in the correct manner and don't get carried away with the occasion, then it promises to be an entertaining tie".
