Match Report: Longridge Town 2-1 1874 Northwich

The gaffer was proud of the character of his team who again came back from behind to gain victory; “we’re not a loud bunch in the changing rooms but on the pitch we always show desire and that’s why I love managing them!”

Town fell behind on the 23rd minute. Conor Linighan conceded a free kick for a late challenge 25 yards from goal. Samuel Hare’s whipped free kick went all the way through to give Northwich the lead.

Town favourite Paul Turner can’t stop scoring and added another goal to his tally heading home a Dan Birch cross 9 minutes into the second half after a fast counter attack.

Young Jon-Jo Morris sent the Town fans into raptures tapping home Alex Murphy’s ball four minutes from the end in a game which was great for the neutral.

Northwich were the brighter team in the opening 20 minutes coming forward with pace and pressing Town high up the field.

The high pressure nearly told in the opening minutes with Scott McGowern twice coming close but both times see his shots go the wrong side of the post.

At the other end Turner found himself on goal round the keeper but his tame effort was blocked by the covering defender. Tom Ince then came close forcing a fine save from Nosakhare Aghayere, tipping it onto the bar.

Northwich continued to create chances but it was Hare’s free kick which opened the scoring.

Half chances were plenty but George Thomason came close to finding the equaliser before the interval. An infield pass from Birch was collected, the young midfielder put it on to his left foot before unleashing a stinging drive towards goal.

Morris replace Ryan Schofield at half time and the young midfielder was quick to get involved in the game.

McGowern was shown a yellow card for going down to easily in the penalty area and the visitors saw an effort chalked off for offside.

A swift counter attack from town lead to the equaliser. Danny Wilks started the move, inside to Thomason who switched to Birch. Birch’s cross found the head of talisman Turner whose diving header defeated the keeper at the near post.

Turner was close to adding a second two minutes later. After retrieving a hopeful ball forward the young striker tricked his way into the box but his near post effort was blocked by the keeper.

Substitute Alex Murphy put in a dangerous cross which fell to Ince who was the next Town player to see his effort blocked on the line.

With the game progressing the tie could have gone either way with Northwich having a dangerous spell, which saw McGowern slipped through. Lee Dovey stood big in the Town goal to keep the scores at one a piece. Troy Carsley was then dispossessed in a dangerous area but again McGowern’s effort went the wrong side of the post.

Another fast flowing attack saw Town gain all three points. Wilks again starting the move drove forward laying of Murphy and his driven cross couldn’t have been more perfect for Morris to tap into the empty goal.

Town will host Vauxhall Motors this Saturday at the MRG in the Macron cup second round.

Town team: Dovey, Birch, Carsley, Linighan, Schofield (Morris 86), McKenna, Harries (Murphy), Wilkinson, Turner 54 (Wicks), Ince (Captain), Thomason

Unused subs: Gourley, Pond

1874 Northwich team: Agahayere, Koral, Russell, Jackson, Jones (Captain), Parker, Knight, Okome (Woolley), McGowern, Hare 23, Kennerley (Cain)

Unused subs: Gardner, Tinning, Mitchell