Saturday 26th January 2018, NWCFL Premier Division

1874 Northwich 5 (McGowan 42 pen, 60, 62, 64, Hare 44)
West 1 (Shanganya 76)
Att: 240

West fell to a heavy defeat against ruthless 1874 Northwich on a filthy afternoon at the Barton Stadium.

After an attritional first 40 minutes, the home side took control with two quick goals before the interval. They then ran away with the points with as Scott McGowan, who scored a disputed penalty before the break, grabbed three more in a devastating five-minute period.

The visitors, whose miserable record against the Greens continues, started promisingly and Jack Langford prodded into 1874 keeper Tony Aghayere’s arms after five minutes. But the home side gradually took control – Lee Jackson headed wide at the back post before McGowan had a penalty claim waved away.

The Greens did take the lead after a bizarre decision from referee Blake Antrobus who pointed to the spot after Taylor Kennerley clearly slipped inside the six yard box. McGowan accepted the gift and seconds later West were two down when Sam Hare completed a counter attack.

McGowan struck again on the hour after West failed to clear a corner, before claiming his third and fourth goals in quick succession – firing over Will Jones from the edge of the box and bundling the ball over the line after slack West defending.

The visiting fans were given something to cheer with 14 minutes remaining – substitute Divine Shanganya tapping home after Danny McLaughlin had a shot parried. But this was another afternoon to forget against West’s bogey team.

West: Jones, Tinker, Miranda, Sergeant, Eiselt (Rogers 70), Eckersley, McLaughlin, Langford, Kilheeney, Shaw (Uchegbulam 74), Coombes (Shangaya 74). Not used: Burgess, Butucel.