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Northwich Vic's
United fielded a normal reserve team for the opening of the Victoria Stadium at Northwich tonight. With a 7.45 k-o.......it gave plenty of time for the 2905 crowd to arrive and watch what turned out to be a competitive game.
United started brightly and had most of the opening period, although NV held their own. It would be fair to say that neither keeper really had much to do and the Reds defence looked particularly solid.....especially Ryan Shawcross who had a very good game. On 38 minutes, Sean Evans gave United the lead with a clever goal after a one-two on the edge of the box and he beat the keeper with a low shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
Half-time 1-0 to United.
Brian McClair made one change at HT with Michael Barnes replacing Sean Evans......it was Evans' first game back after injury so perhaps the coaching staff were not taking too many risks.....
Then on 56 minutes, Aaron Burns made it 2-0 and United looked very comfortable for most of the second half. Ryan Shawcross picked up a knock on 75 minutes and was replaced with Craig Cathcart. Then with 7 minutes to go, NV pulled a goal back but it was simply a consolation as United held firm to run out 2-1 winners.
It was good to see Floribert N'Galula back after a long lay off and he had a good game. Kieran Lee was probably MOM but special mention must also go to Shawcross, Gray and Danny Rose.
Team: Heaton, Gray, Rose, Lea, Shawcross, N'Galula, Mullan, Lee, Burns, Marsh, S. Evans
Subs: Barnes (11), Crockett, Brandy, Hewson, Cathcart (5)
Scorers: S. Evans, Burns
Attendance: 2905
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