Buildbase FA Vase Semi-Final 2nd leg - Chertsey Town v Northwich Victoria
Thu 28th March 2019 | FA Challenge Vase | By Ian Templeman
The expectation is building down Northwich way, as Northwich Victoria prepare for Saturday’s Buildbase FA Vase semi-final second leg tie at Chertsey Town.
Last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Wincham Park means the tie is delicately and tantalisingly poised, but manager Steve Wilkes believes they are capable of getting the result they need to progress to the final at Wembley, especially as he felt his side didn’t perform to their potential on Sunday.
“It's half time, I know it's a cliche but it's true”, he said
"They will now be the favourites to win the tie, but we can play much better, and I'm sure they can too, I'm sure their manager is saying the same".
Chertsey Town are unbeaten at home all season in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division, and have only lost one league game all season.
They sit in second place in the league table, five points behind leaders Sutton Common Rovers, but have seven games in hand of the league leaders.
Their success is based around a strong defence that has conceded just 26 goals in 26 league games, although Steve says that he was impressed with their attacking prowess on Sunday.
“We know Chertsey are a good side, and they have got good movement up front with the four lads they have. We knew the front four would never give you a minute.
“The 9 (Jake Baxter) does well for his side, he reminds me a bit of Scott McGowan (at 1874 Northwich).
“The 7 (Lubomir Guentchev) is very experienced and very good technically. I spoke to Michael Dodd at Irlam, who told me he scored a great goal at their place in the Fifth Round.
“He also told me that Sam Murphy their number 10 was their best player when they played them, but when we watched them twice he didn't play”.
On Sunday Chertsey scored just before half time, but Vics got back into the tie with a second half equaliser from Harvey Whyte, and Steve says that lessons learned from Sunday will be put into practice when putting the game plan together for the second leg.
“At half time we told the lads to be patient, we were only 45 minutes into the tie so there was no panic.
“We said that if we came in having been beaten 1-0 we still had another 90 minutes down there.
“We will watch the video of the game back, and see where we can be better, especially on set pieces and in the final third.
“They will be expected to go back home and win the game, they have not lost at home all season.
“But we are one win away from Wembley, we are possibly better on the road, we will take a few fans down there and create a good atmosphere.
“I'm sure our fans will make some noise down there, and it's all to play for”.
Buildbase FA Vase Semi-Final 2nd leg - Chertsey Town v Northwich Victoria
Thu 28th March 2019 | FA Challenge Vase
By Ian Templeman
The expectation is building down Northwich way, as Northwich Victoria prepare for Saturday’s Buildbase FA Vase semi-final second leg tie at Chertsey Town.
Last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Wincham Park means the tie is delicately and tantalisingly poised, but manager Steve Wilkes believes they are capable of getting the result they need to progress to the final at Wembley, especially as he felt his side didn’t perform to their potential on Sunday.
“It's half time, I know it's a cliche but it's true”, he said
"They will now be the favourites to win the tie, but we can play much better, and I'm sure they can too, I'm sure their manager is saying the same".
Chertsey Town are unbeaten at home all season in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division, and have only lost one league game all season.
They sit in second place in the league table, five points behind leaders Sutton Common Rovers, but have seven games in hand of the league leaders.
Their success is based around a strong defence that has conceded just 26 goals in 26 league games, although Steve says that he was impressed with their attacking prowess on Sunday.
“We know Chertsey are a good side, and they have got good movement up front with the four lads they have. We knew the front four would never give you a minute.
“The 9 (Jake Baxter) does well for his side, he reminds me a bit of Scott McGowan (at 1874 Northwich).
“The 7 (Lubomir Guentchev) is very experienced and very good technically. I spoke to Michael Dodd at Irlam, who told me he scored a great goal at their place in the Fifth Round.
“He also told me that Sam Murphy their number 10 was their best player when they played them, but when we watched them twice he didn't play”.
On Sunday Chertsey scored just before half time, but Vics got back into the tie with a second half equaliser from Harvey Whyte, and Steve says that lessons learned from Sunday will be put into practice when putting the game plan together for the second leg.
“At half time we told the lads to be patient, we were only 45 minutes into the tie so there was no panic.
“We said that if we came in having been beaten 1-0 we still had another 90 minutes down there.
“We will watch the video of the game back, and see where we can be better, especially on set pieces and in the final third.
“They will be expected to go back home and win the game, they have not lost at home all season.
“But we are one win away from Wembley, we are possibly better on the road, we will take a few fans down there and create a good atmosphere.
“I'm sure our fans will make some noise down there, and it's all to play for”.
