Buildbase FA Vase Semi-Final 1st Leg - Thatcham Town v 1874 Northwich
Thu 15th March 2018 | FA Challenge Vase | By Ian Templeman
Another page in the story of 1874 Northwich's remarkable season is set to be written in the market town of Thatcham this Saturday.
The team and their customary large travelling support will head south to the Berkshire town, where Thatcham Town of the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division await their arrival for the first leg of the Buildbase FA Vase semi-final.
While 1874 will make the journey in confident mood, that optimism will no doubt be tempered with the knowledge that their opponents on the next two Saturdays are a formidable force to be overcome if a Wembley appearance is to be achieved.
A glance at their league position reveals that they are currently in second place, two points off the league leaders Highworth Town having played 31 games. But a goal difference of plus 75, 98 goals scored with only 23 conceded, suggests that they are a team not to be taken lightly.
As those statistics suggest, they are flying at the moment with their last defeat in any competition coming back in October and in Shane Cooper-Clark they have one of the most prolific goalscorers in non-league football this season.
His 45 goals in 44 appearances have put him at the top of the Hellenic Premier Division scorers tables, and a measure of his importance to the team is probably best illustrated by the fact that Thatcham's next highest scorer Josh Helmore is on 12 goals for the season.
Another of Thatcham's important players has had a unique insight into 1874 Northwich in the lead up to the game.
Warrington-born Lewis Brownhill is the brother of Joel Brownhill who plays for Ashton Athletic, and with Joel having made three appearances for Athletic against 1874 this season, most recently last week at Brocstedes Park, his observations will no doubt have been sought.
It promises to be a fascinating encounter in front of an all ticket sell out crowd at Thatcham's Crookham Hill ground, and 1874 Northwich joint-manager Paul Bowyer summed the feelings in the Greens camp.
"Everyone at the club's been looking forward to the semi final since we beat Leighton in the last round. Credit to the lads, as they've remained focused and prepared in the right manner for the league games that we have managed to play since the Quarter Final.
"The level of excitement has been building all week and we'll make sure we do everything right in the lead up to Saturday.
"The lads are used to travelling long distances now so they won't be fazed and we'll give them every opportunity to know as much about Thatcham as we can.
"We know what we're up against - they're on a long unbeaten stretch dating back to October and are strong all over the park. But we've assembled a decent squad who have stayed together all season and are a tight-knit unit.
"They've been brilliant all season, and with a bit of quality and luck over the two legs you just never know.
"Our supporters are travelling down in great numbers again and we hope they'll have a memorable day out and enjoy the occasion.
"We've been inundated with good luck messages and we're hopeful of bringing Thatcham back up here for the second leg with it all to play for".
Buildbase FA Vase Semi-Final 1st Leg - Thatcham Town v 1874 Northwich
Thu 15th March 2018 | FA Challenge Vase
By Ian Templeman
Another page in the story of 1874 Northwich's remarkable season is set to be written in the market town of Thatcham this Saturday.
The team and their customary large travelling support will head south to the Berkshire town, where Thatcham Town of the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division await their arrival for the first leg of the Buildbase FA Vase semi-final.
While 1874 will make the journey in confident mood, that optimism will no doubt be tempered with the knowledge that their opponents on the next two Saturdays are a formidable force to be overcome if a Wembley appearance is to be achieved.
A glance at their league position reveals that they are currently in second place, two points off the league leaders Highworth Town having played 31 games. But a goal difference of plus 75, 98 goals scored with only 23 conceded, suggests that they are a team not to be taken lightly.
As those statistics suggest, they are flying at the moment with their last defeat in any competition coming back in October and in Shane Cooper-Clark they have one of the most prolific goalscorers in non-league football this season.
His 45 goals in 44 appearances have put him at the top of the Hellenic Premier Division scorers tables, and a measure of his importance to the team is probably best illustrated by the fact that Thatcham's next highest scorer Josh Helmore is on 12 goals for the season.
Another of Thatcham's important players has had a unique insight into 1874 Northwich in the lead up to the game.
Warrington-born Lewis Brownhill is the brother of Joel Brownhill who plays for Ashton Athletic, and with Joel having made three appearances for Athletic against 1874 this season, most recently last week at Brocstedes Park, his observations will no doubt have been sought.
It promises to be a fascinating encounter in front of an all ticket sell out crowd at Thatcham's Crookham Hill ground, and 1874 Northwich joint-manager Paul Bowyer summed the feelings in the Greens camp.
"Everyone at the club's been looking forward to the semi final since we beat Leighton in the last round. Credit to the lads, as they've remained focused and prepared in the right manner for the league games that we have managed to play since the Quarter Final.
"The level of excitement has been building all week and we'll make sure we do everything right in the lead up to Saturday.
"The lads are used to travelling long distances now so they won't be fazed and we'll give them every opportunity to know as much about Thatcham as we can.
"We know what we're up against - they're on a long unbeaten stretch dating back to October and are strong all over the park. But we've assembled a decent squad who have stayed together all season and are a tight-knit unit.
"They've been brilliant all season, and with a bit of quality and luck over the two legs you just never know.
"Our supporters are travelling down in great numbers again and we hope they'll have a memorable day out and enjoy the occasion.
"We've been inundated with good luck messages and we're hopeful of bringing Thatcham back up here for the second leg with it all to play for".
