NORTHWICH Victoria increased their lead to six points at the top of Division One North with a 2-0 victory against Prescot Cables in atrocious conditions at Hope Street

Cables Manager Andy Paxton made eight changes from the team which had lost to Clitheroe in the Doodson Sports Cup a week last Tuesday. Morrow, Flood, Shinks, Herbert, Joe Nicholson, McCulloch, Doran and Scarisbrick replacing Burgess, Glean, Mannion, Coyle, Joseph Evans, Joe Evans, Massey and Williams.

Northwich kicked off playing towards the Hope Street End and the ball ended up going out of play resulting in a throw in to Cables.

It was Northwich who applied the early pressure, Jordan Williams breaking down the left side and crossing into the penalty area for Howard but Joe Herbert was first to the ball and headed clear for Cables.

Northwich’s Brian Summerskill turned Jonah O’Reilly before crossing into the penalty area but once again Herbert cleared the danger.

After withstanding this early pressure, Cables broke quickly and Anthony Shinks played the ball into Andy Scarisbrick who just failed to get a touch on the ball and Springthorpe in goal for Northwich was able to gather it and clear.

Northwich almost caught Cables napping when a long ball from the back put Jordan Williams clean through on goal but Morrow produced a fine save to deny Williams. The rain was now heavy and both teams were having difficulty controlling the ball and passing it.

Williams pace down the left was proving a constant threat to Cables and he won a corner after his cross was blocked.

The corner taken by Howard was a short one who passed to Williams on the edge of the box.

Williams aimed for the top corner of the Cables goal but Flood was in position to head clear.

However Northwich regained possession and the ball fell to Stuart Cook who scored from 25 yards to give Northwich the lead on 19 minutes.

Another long ball put Richard Bennett clear for Northwich who looked suspiciously off side but Morrow came to Cables rescue collecting the ball cleanly under pressure.

Cables Joe Nicholson tried his luck with a shot from long range but it was too high and sailed over the cross bar.

After Cables had won a free kick outside the Northwich penalty area, Jonah O’Reilly crossed from the left for Rob Doran who was just wide of the target with a glancing header.

Cables were awarded a corner when Connor Grainger’s cross was headed away.

From the corner taken by Nicholson, Jonah O’Reilly headed over the bar.

As half-time approached, Northwich doubled their lead on 44 minutes when from a corner Morrow failed to punch the ball clear deflecting it backwards to the far post where Richard Bennet was waiting to nod the ball home for Northwich.

Cables began the second half positively with Edgar creating an opportunity for Andy Scarisbrick but he was unable to connect strongly enough with the ball and Springthorpe blocked his shot. On 54 minutes Cables made their first change, George Mannion replacing Danny Flood.

Rob Doran tried a long through pass for Scarisbrick but he over hit his pass and it drifted out of play.

On 62 minutes Rob Doran advanced into the Northwich penalty area and was brought down by Duxbury.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Doran stepped up to take the penalty himself. Unfortunately, Doran blasted the spot kick over the cross bar spurning a glorious opportunity for Cables to get back into the game.

Both sides began to resort to the direct route of the long ball game as conditions became worse due to the heavy rain. Northwich won a corner on the right taken by Summerskill which Williams headed across the face of the goal.

On 65 minutes Cables made their second change, Tony Williams replacing Connor Grainger who had worked tirelessly for Cables cause.

Northwich again broke quickly, Howard putting Williams through but his shot flashed wide of the post. Cables had a lucky escape when Morrow dropped the ball under pressure, and Bennett’s shot rebounded off the post.

On 73 minutes Northwich made their first change, Mike Roddy replacing Jordan Williams who had had an outstanding game. Roddy was soon in Action forcing Morrow into a fine save as Northwich looked to increase their lead.

Cables did not throw the towel in and Doran set up Edgar whose shot was tipped over the bar by Springthorpe for a spectacular save. On 78 minutes Northwich made their second change, Jish Amis replacing Stuart Cook. Andy Scarisbrick played the ball wide to Tony Williams who elected to shoot instead of passing and shot weakly at Springthorpe. Ben Morrow was called onto make two further saves from Amis and Howard and Northwich made their final change in added time, Ali replacing Howard.

Prescot Cables: Morrow, Flood, Shinks, O’Reilly, Herbert, Joe Nicholson, Grainger, McCulloch, Doran, Scarisbrick, Edgar. Substitutes: Williams, Joseph Evans, Joe Evans, Glean, Mannion.

Northwich: Springthorpe, Byrne, Duxbury, Ball, Clarke, Astles, Summerskill, Cook, Bennett, Howard, Williams. Substitutes: Ali, Roddy, Amis, Burnett, Smith.