Westend do the double over Northwich
NORTHWICH 1
WESTEND UNITED 2
(Mid Cheshire League Div 3 Under 12’s)
The second game against Northwich produced Westends third win of this campaign.
Westend started the game and lost the ball straight away but forced Northwich to concede a throw in that Westend took allowing them to press forward. Sam Marshall got the ball to the outside of the box and crossed a ball into Harry Higate and his shot was well saved by the keeper. The game was a midfield battle with Jack Carroll, Kit Ambage, Harry Higate and Oliver Gifford doing their job of tackling and putting the ball forward. It was some way into the game before Robin Evans got his first touch in goal and his kick forward allowed Ashley Goodwin and Sam Marshall to link well but the attack was halted by the defence of Northwich. A freekick was awarded to Northwich who put the ball in but Darren Roberts returned it to Ashley Goodwin who then crossed to Sam Marshall but his effort went wide. Northwich made few visits to the Westend half but when they did the defence of Darren Roberts, Alex Mason, Scott Sapsford or Philip Roney was able to deal with any danger. Westend were having most of the play forcing throwins and corners. A substitution was made with Ashley Goodwin making way for Jim Cowburn to act as strike partner to Sam Marshall. Northwich went on the attack forcing a good save from Robin Evans. Alex Mason was called on a number of times to get the crucial tackle in and he was then able to put the ball forward. Jack Carroll won the ball in midfield passed it to Sam Marshall then on to Harry Higate who in turn spread it wide to Oliver Gifford, the ball came over to Jim Cowburn and his shot looked goal bound but it ended up in the side netting. Northwich come forward again but Westend break from defence allowing Sam Marshall to go for goal and his shot beat the goalkeeper only to get slowed by the mud which let a Northwich defender clear off the line. Westend continue to press and after a couple of wide attempts by Jim Cowburn he scores. After a thrilling first half the score was 0-1.
Northwich restarted the game and it continued from where it left off with Westend pressing. Anthony Crossley came on for Oliver Gifford and he got stuck in straight away. Northwich try to get forward but Darren Roberts and Alex Mason work to get the ball cleared. Ashley Goodwin came on for Sam Marshall. Nick Tabbinnor on for Harry Higate. Northwich break and after what looked like a tug on Philip Roneys shirt the forward put the ball away to equalise. This was totally against the run of play and Westend were determined to regain the advantage. Joe Brazier on for Anthony Crossley and moments later he put a good ball through to Ashley Goodwin who worked his way into a shooting position and put the ball over the keeper to make it 1-2. This gave Westend more confidence and they went on the hunt for more goals. Matthew Blood on for Robin Evans and he got a few touches of the ball. The last few minutes were fairly tense and the final whistle came with the score 1-2.
The man of the match was Jim Cowburn for his performance in attack.
Team: - Ambage, Blood, Brazier, Carroll, Cowburn, Crossley, Evans, Gifford, Goodwin, Higate, Marshall, Mason, Roberts, Roney, Sapsford and Tabbinnor.
The next match is at home against High Legh and players are asked to meet at the school at 10.00 am.