FOOTBALL CONFERENCE (From Warrington Guardian)

FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

Cheltenham Town 0

Northwich Vics 1

VICS philosophy seems simple - the bigger they come, the harder they fall.

Having won away at Rushden in dramatic fashion earlier in the season, Saturday saw the spirited Greens bring championship chasing Cheltenham down to earth.

The Cheltenham faithful had not seen their side beaten at home in the league all season. Indeed, the home side were looking to extend the longest unbeaten run in the Conference to 15 games.

But by the end of the 90 minutes it was the home crowd which was left stunned as the travelling Vics fans celebrated another famous away win.

It was Paul Tait's 23rd minute strike which provided the springboard for the victory. But statistics alone don't do the Greens justice.

An exemplary defensive display and a show of 110 per cent commitment formed the foundations of this win which was as deserved as any this season. The Robins did start the brighter though, forcing three corners in the opening six minutes but only producing two long range efforts from David Norton and Clive Walker.

In response Vics' Stuart Terry caused a string of problems for the home defence and it was he who turned provided for the game's only goal on 22 minutes. A cross field pass from Darren Vicary released Terry, who dashed 20 yards down the right, beating two defenders before slipping the ball back to Tait on the left hand edge of the box.

He coolly fired beyond Steve Book for his eighth goal of the season. The home side's attacks were continuously broken down by Vics stout defence while Terry continued to pose a threat on the wing.

And the home side's frustration spilled over, with Lee Howells and Mark Freeman booked in quick succession.

Vics chould have taken a two goal lead before the break when Vicary's fierce shot from the right side of the area forced Book into a good stop at the foot of the post.

Just before the interval Greygoose, clearly beaten, was relieved to see a header from Jamie Victory hit the crossbar and rebound to safety.

The second half was less eventful as Cheltenham marked Terry out of the game and took hold of possession but failed to pentrate the Vics back-line. With John Robertson a colossus in defence, Northwich's three points never seemed in doubt.

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