Northwich Victoria 2 Leigh RMI 0
By Matt Lawton
April 12 2005
Northwich dealt themselves a massive boost in their aim of surviving against the threat of relegation with a vital 2-0 win against already relegated RMI at Wincham Park.
April 12 2005
Northwich dealt themselves a massive boost in their aim of surviving against the threat of relegation with a vital 2-0 win against already relegated RMI at Wincham Park.
A lot of water has passed under the water since these two sides met at Wincham Park. The original meeting between the clubs was scheduled to take place on New Years Day in a traditional short-distance derby game, and in some part it did take place. However, torrential rain and gale-force winds meant the game was abandoned at half-time with RMI leading by two goals to one, in what had been another encouraging performance under the management of Geoff Lutley, who had only recently taken the reigns at Hilton Park following Phil Starbuck’s resignation.
Although it was RMI who were still rooted to the foot of the table, it was Northwich who were in all sorts of trouble. After having ten points deducted from their total earlier in the season because of financial irregularities, the Vics found themselves in the midst of a relegation battle, without a ground to call their own and forced to share with bitter rivals Witton Albion, barely kicking distance away from the building site that will soon become their home.
Since then, Lutley has left RMI to be replaced by Steve Bleasdale, and that appointment saw RMI go on an incredible run of form that doubled their previous points tally in a matter of weeks. Unfortunately, despite the upsurge in form, RMI found themselves relegated last week, ironically after claiming their first home victory in seven months after defeating Canvey Island 2-1 at Hilton Park.
Northwich, meanwhile, have largely hauled themselves away from trouble and now find themselves several places above the relegation zone after hitting an excellent run of form towards the ‘business end’ of the season, and tonight’s game was no exception as the Vics virtually sealed Conference football for next season.
It was RMI though, with nothing to lose, who started this evening’s match the brighter with Nicky Allen going close from distance early on and Warren Peyton going close with a free kick.
Surprisingly, it was RMI doing all the running, and short of a couple of aimless crosses from out wide from Vics, it was Leigh putting all the pressure on, with Allen again going close from a long way out, with Northwich a little relieved to go in at the break still on level terms.
No doubt suddenly realising the importance of the game, Northwich stepped up the pace considerably in the second half, and after much huffing and puffing, they finally got the breakthrough with less than twenty minutes remaining when the ball found it’s way to Peter Band via Karl Munroe, allowing Band to divert the ball in to the net and give the hosts the lead.
That lead was quickly doubled, sewing up the match in the process, when with barely a matter of minutes left, Paul Brayson scored directly from a free kick after RMI youngster Ryan Clarke had been punished for a foul on Steve Garvey.
Craig Smith twice went close near the end for RMI, but the game was over by then, leaving the home contingent to celebrate a victory which will go a long way to confirming their Conference status for next season.
Although it was RMI who were still rooted to the foot of the table, it was Northwich who were in all sorts of trouble. After having ten points deducted from their total earlier in the season because of financial irregularities, the Vics found themselves in the midst of a relegation battle, without a ground to call their own and forced to share with bitter rivals Witton Albion, barely kicking distance away from the building site that will soon become their home.
Since then, Lutley has left RMI to be replaced by Steve Bleasdale, and that appointment saw RMI go on an incredible run of form that doubled their previous points tally in a matter of weeks. Unfortunately, despite the upsurge in form, RMI found themselves relegated last week, ironically after claiming their first home victory in seven months after defeating Canvey Island 2-1 at Hilton Park.
Northwich, meanwhile, have largely hauled themselves away from trouble and now find themselves several places above the relegation zone after hitting an excellent run of form towards the ‘business end’ of the season, and tonight’s game was no exception as the Vics virtually sealed Conference football for next season.
It was RMI though, with nothing to lose, who started this evening’s match the brighter with Nicky Allen going close from distance early on and Warren Peyton going close with a free kick.
Surprisingly, it was RMI doing all the running, and short of a couple of aimless crosses from out wide from Vics, it was Leigh putting all the pressure on, with Allen again going close from a long way out, with Northwich a little relieved to go in at the break still on level terms.
No doubt suddenly realising the importance of the game, Northwich stepped up the pace considerably in the second half, and after much huffing and puffing, they finally got the breakthrough with less than twenty minutes remaining when the ball found it’s way to Peter Band via Karl Munroe, allowing Band to divert the ball in to the net and give the hosts the lead.
That lead was quickly doubled, sewing up the match in the process, when with barely a matter of minutes left, Paul Brayson scored directly from a free kick after RMI youngster Ryan Clarke had been punished for a foul on Steve Garvey.
Craig Smith twice went close near the end for RMI, but the game was over by then, leaving the home contingent to celebrate a victory which will go a long way to confirming their Conference status for next season.
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