FA Vase Fifth Round - 1874 Northwich 1 Chichester City 0
Sat 3rd February 2018 | FA Challenge Vase | By Ian Templeman
An 89th minute goal from Ryan Mitchell sealed 1874 Northwich's place in the last eight of the Buildbase FA Vase after a close fought Fifth Round tie against Chichester City at Wincham Park.
From the early stages, it had the look of a game that could well be decided by a single goal, and so it proved, with the big 1874 centre half once more showing his penchant for scoring late winners.
Mitchell struck in stoppage time for the Greens at Maine Road two weeks ago to seal a last gasp victory, and once again proved his worth as a game changer when he got on the end of an inswinging corner to bundle the ball in from a couple of yards out.
There are many characters worthy of praise for 1874's progress as a club since their formation in 2012, but the playing squad of 2018 are starting to have the look of having the potential to be the biggest history makers so far, as they now look forward to a quarter final tie in the competition.
Opponents Chichester City, from the Southern Combination Premier Division, turned out to be tough and uncompromising opponents on the day, who for long spells sat back inviting pressure while looking to hit on the break.
As the second half wore on, it was a tactic that looked increasingly likely to bear fruit, as the possession and vibrancy that 1874 enjoyed in the first half failed to deliver a goal.
The irresistible green and black attacking force was continually met by an immovable all yellow object, and as the clock ticked down, and extra time began to beckon, the nagging suspicion was that 1874's early domination would all be in vain.
But Mitchell's goal turned anxiety to ecstasy for the large home support in the attendance of 580, and another page in the club's history books was written.
1874 Northwich manager Paul Bowyer was understandably delighted after the game.
"We thought we deserved it over the 90 minutes", he said.
"Some of our play was good at times, but in the final third I didn't think we hurt them as much as we would have expected to.
"But you can't knock the lads and to get through to the quarter finals is amazing for us.
"We said we needed to get at them early, see what they have got and let them adapt to us as we took the game to them, and we did that.
"We had a couple of chances, and their keeper made a great save from Scotty (Scott McGowan).
"But we took or foot off the gas a bit and when they had a shot that hit the crossbar (late in the first half) that was the turning point in a way.
"We never quite got on the ball as much after that and they changed things a little bit. They have got some good players, obviously if they have made it to the last 16 they will be a good side,
"But we have the ability to keep going even when things aren't going right for us. We have had that so many times this season where we have kept going and got there in the end, and the lads showed great character again.
"The goal was a bit of a funny one in a way. We worked on set plays during the week, and we did say that sometimes it's worth just worth whipping one across, and it worked, Ryan Jackson put a great knock in and it bounced and then Mitch put it in.
"It's fantastic for the club again and I don't think it matters now who we get in the next round.
"The fact that we are there is phenomenal and you would never have thought that when the season started.
"It's just great for everyone at the club and let's see what the draw on Monday brings".
The early stages of the first half gave good cause for optimism in the home camp, with 1874 enjoying the bulk of the territory and possession, although it was Chichester who created the first clear cut chance of the game on 16 minutes.
The tall centre forward Jimmy Wild, who was a menacing presence upfront for the visitors throughout, took a fine first touch on a through ball that made him a yard of space, and his well struck shot to the near post was pushed away at full stretch by Greg Hall.
But just after the midway point of the half, 1874 spurned two great chances in as many minutes, although credit must go to visiting keeper Anthony Ender for two fine saves.
First, a mazy run by Adam Whitlock took him past two defenders and created space for a shot that Ender held well, and then soon afterwards the keeper denied Scott McGowan with a fine stop at the near post in a one-on-one face off.
But it was Chichester City midfielder Keiron Hartley who nearly grabbed the headlines six minutes before the break, with an effort that would have been a goal of the season contender had it gone in.
Picking up a loose ball in midfield, Hartley had time and space to consider his options, and elected to unleash a screamer of a shot from 35 yards that beat Greg Hall and hit the top of the crossbar.
It was a warning sign to 1874 of the threat that their opponents had in the armoury, and at half time the introduction of Shelton Payne for Taylor Kennerley offered an alternative attacking option down the flank.
Throughout the second half, Payne gave his opposing City full back Charlie Williamson plenty of food for thought with surging runs that constantly posed a threat, but although Payne hit the bye line several times and got inviting crosses into the far post, the deadlock remained unbroken.
Fourteen minutes from time, home hearts were in mouths when City left back Ellis Martin swung in a corner kick that was met by his captain Jack Lee, but visiting heads were in hands when the skipper's thumping header grazed the outside of the post with Hall beaten.
But a minute from time, 1874 finally made the breakthrough, and at last another dancing run from Payne down the left delivered a reward.
Payne's pinpoint cross was headed goalwards by Scott McGowan but was scrambled away for a corner, and when Ryan Jackson swung the kick into the six yard box, Ryan Mitchell was on hand to steer the ball in from close range and seal a dramatic victory for his side.
FA Vase Fifth Round - 1874 Northwich 1 Chichester City 0
Sat 3rd February 2018 | FA Challenge Vase
By Ian Templeman
An 89th minute goal from Ryan Mitchell sealed 1874 Northwich's place in the last eight of the Buildbase FA Vase after a close fought Fifth Round tie against Chichester City at Wincham Park.
From the early stages, it had the look of a game that could well be decided by a single goal, and so it proved, with the big 1874 centre half once more showing his penchant for scoring late winners.
Mitchell struck in stoppage time for the Greens at Maine Road two weeks ago to seal a last gasp victory, and once again proved his worth as a game changer when he got on the end of an inswinging corner to bundle the ball in from a couple of yards out.
There are many characters worthy of praise for 1874's progress as a club since their formation in 2012, but the playing squad of 2018 are starting to have the look of having the potential to be the biggest history makers so far, as they now look forward to a quarter final tie in the competition.
Opponents Chichester City, from the Southern Combination Premier Division, turned out to be tough and uncompromising opponents on the day, who for long spells sat back inviting pressure while looking to hit on the break.
As the second half wore on, it was a tactic that looked increasingly likely to bear fruit, as the possession and vibrancy that 1874 enjoyed in the first half failed to deliver a goal.
The irresistible green and black attacking force was continually met by an immovable all yellow object, and as the clock ticked down, and extra time began to beckon, the nagging suspicion was that 1874's early domination would all be in vain.
But Mitchell's goal turned anxiety to ecstasy for the large home support in the attendance of 580, and another page in the club's history books was written.
1874 Northwich manager Paul Bowyer was understandably delighted after the game.
"We thought we deserved it over the 90 minutes", he said.
"Some of our play was good at times, but in the final third I didn't think we hurt them as much as we would have expected to.
"But you can't knock the lads and to get through to the quarter finals is amazing for us.
"We said we needed to get at them early, see what they have got and let them adapt to us as we took the game to them, and we did that.
"We had a couple of chances, and their keeper made a great save from Scotty (Scott McGowan).
"But we took or foot off the gas a bit and when they had a shot that hit the crossbar (late in the first half) that was the turning point in a way.
"We never quite got on the ball as much after that and they changed things a little bit. They have got some good players, obviously if they have made it to the last 16 they will be a good side,
"But we have the ability to keep going even when things aren't going right for us. We have had that so many times this season where we have kept going and got there in the end, and the lads showed great character again.
"The goal was a bit of a funny one in a way. We worked on set plays during the week, and we did say that sometimes it's worth just worth whipping one across, and it worked, Ryan Jackson put a great knock in and it bounced and then Mitch put it in.
"It's fantastic for the club again and I don't think it matters now who we get in the next round.
"The fact that we are there is phenomenal and you would never have thought that when the season started.
"It's just great for everyone at the club and let's see what the draw on Monday brings".
The early stages of the first half gave good cause for optimism in the home camp, with 1874 enjoying the bulk of the territory and possession, although it was Chichester who created the first clear cut chance of the game on 16 minutes.
The tall centre forward Jimmy Wild, who was a menacing presence upfront for the visitors throughout, took a fine first touch on a through ball that made him a yard of space, and his well struck shot to the near post was pushed away at full stretch by Greg Hall.
But just after the midway point of the half, 1874 spurned two great chances in as many minutes, although credit must go to visiting keeper Anthony Ender for two fine saves.
First, a mazy run by Adam Whitlock took him past two defenders and created space for a shot that Ender held well, and then soon afterwards the keeper denied Scott McGowan with a fine stop at the near post in a one-on-one face off.
But it was Chichester City midfielder Keiron Hartley who nearly grabbed the headlines six minutes before the break, with an effort that would have been a goal of the season contender had it gone in.
Picking up a loose ball in midfield, Hartley had time and space to consider his options, and elected to unleash a screamer of a shot from 35 yards that beat Greg Hall and hit the top of the crossbar.
It was a warning sign to 1874 of the threat that their opponents had in the armoury, and at half time the introduction of Shelton Payne for Taylor Kennerley offered an alternative attacking option down the flank.
Throughout the second half, Payne gave his opposing City full back Charlie Williamson plenty of food for thought with surging runs that constantly posed a threat, but although Payne hit the bye line several times and got inviting crosses into the far post, the deadlock remained unbroken.
Fourteen minutes from time, home hearts were in mouths when City left back Ellis Martin swung in a corner kick that was met by his captain Jack Lee, but visiting heads were in hands when the skipper's thumping header grazed the outside of the post with Hall beaten.
But a minute from time, 1874 finally made the breakthrough, and at last another dancing run from Payne down the left delivered a reward.
Payne's pinpoint cross was headed goalwards by Scott McGowan but was scrambled away for a corner, and when Ryan Jackson swung the kick into the six yard box, Ryan Mitchell was on hand to steer the ball in from close range and seal a dramatic victory for his side.
