Grant checks victory plans

Nationwide Conference

Saturday, February 15

ALL the grumbling about Vics sharing Wincham Park this season has been justified in terms of their poor results, but there was little to complain about on Saturday.

The fact that Northwich have won only one Conference game at their temporary home since September wasn't a statistic damming enough to spoil an entertaining, end-to-end encounter. But the home supporters could argue that the referee did this for them.

Despite them having the added advantage of being able to use their hands, goalkeepers are always given far too much protection when they challenge for crosses. Just ask Matt Baker, who was barely touched when reaching for Steve Garvey's injury time corner as it sailed over him and rebounded into the net off a Hereford defender.

Almost inevitably he was awarded a free kick, a rather fortuitous end to an eventful stoppage time period in which he also scuffed a clearance to David McNiven and was almost beaten by a 25-yard drive from Jimmy Quinn.

But Baker saved both shots and preserved a point for his side, a fair result given the contribution both teams made to possibly the best game Vics have staged during their tenure at the GMB Stadium.

Northwich fought back gallantly to lead 2-1 at half-time before John Grant turned the home fans, who warmed to him during last season's loan spell at the Drill Field from Crewe, against him by sliding in the equaliser in the 61st minute.

It came following one of the countless times Chris Royle was left for dead by the dangerous Paul Parry, and while he was in full flow Hereford always had victory in their sights.

Before the frantic finish Steve Guinan and Michael Rose just cleared the crossbar when they had chances to edge the Bulls in front again, although at the other end Gregg Blundell was inches away from the far post after beating Andy Tretton for pace.

It was during the first half that the players had more success in finding the net. Rob Purdie was first to do so after 11 minutes when Grant's header dropped for him to volley past Gary Kelly.

But broken nose victim Shaun Came was then replaced by Danny Griggs, and a change in personnel brought about a change in emphasis as Vics multiplied their attacking outlets.

An equaliser looked increasingly likely and it came in the 26th minute, Jake Sedgemore releasing Blundell to present David McNiven with an unmissable open goal.

The best moment of the match, however, came a minute before the break when Paul Teather opened his Conference goals account in supreme style. He finally showed the class that earned him a Manchester United squad number a few seasons ago when he let fly from 30 yards and his shot arrowed past Baker into the top corner.

In the second half Blundell was a big toe away from prodding Jonny Allan's tempting cross into an open goal to make it 3-1, while just two minutes earlier Kelly made a stunning save from Purdie's close range header.

But Parry then sliced his way through the middle just past the hour mark and gave Grant the chance to add the finishing touches to the scoresheet, which he did with considerable ease.

Vics: Kelly, Ingram, Came (Griggs 23; Quinn 69), Davis, Royle, Sedgemore, Teather, Garvey, McNiven, Allan, Blundell. Subs not used: Parry, Walsh, Rioch. Attendance: 896. Star man: Jake Sedgemore.