Wednesday 14th September 2022, NWCFL Premier Division

Northwich Victoria 2 (Dudley 13, Birchall 47)
West 1 (Elliott pen 62)
Att: 182

West slipped to a disappointing defeat against Northwich Victoria at Wincham Park.

Vics goals either side of half time, both preventable from a West perspective, meant that Ben Elliott’s penalty just after the hour was merely a consolation.

Following Saturday’s enforced call-off, West started quickly with Elliott and Ezeikel Eme going close. But Vics struck first when a ball directly through the middle led to Matthew Dudley rounding Andrew Jones and scoring.

Curtis Miller then forced a fine save from Vics keeper Chris Cheetham as West looked for a way back into the match, but Jones ended the half making a string of fine saves to keep Vics’ lead down to one.

However, it only took seconds after the restart for the home side to double their advantage. Matthew Birchall given an easy task when left in yards of space inside the area, with West’s calls for offside falling on deaf ears.

West rallied and began to exert pressure on Cheetham’s goal, and were rewarded when debutant Darren McKnight was upended inside the area. Elliott rolled the resulting penalty into the net to halve the arrears.

Eme and Rhain Davis came closest as West looked for a leveller, but Vics saw out the remaining minutes to condemn West to a second league defeat of the season.

West: A. Jones, Cook, Hancock, McKnight, Vayro (Delaney), Foulds, Eme, C. Jones (Lewens), Elliott, Davis, Miller. Not used: Graham, Taylor, Ryan.

Eckersley’s Plumbers & Locksmiths Player of the Match: Andrew Jones.