Northwich desperate for more points

Feb 4 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

AN away point is always acceptable – and this one at Aggborough was well-deserved – but Vics need to do better if they are to improve their fast-fading chances of avoiding relegation from the Blue Square Premiership.

In a game largely devoid of incident or excitement, Vics defended well with Lewis Edge excelling in goal behind a solid back four in which the giant Cortez Belle was the star.

But they again lacked creativity in midfield and possessed no punch up front where only two direct shots were levelled on Harriers’goal.

With as many as seven of manager Dino Maamria’s January signings starting the match, there was a lack of understanding and method about Northwich’s play while mid-table Kidderminster, recently beaten by Vics’ relegation rivals Altrincham and Droylsden, appeared to coast through the game with limited ambition.

Harriers went near to taking the lead on 38 minutes when new signing from Yeovil, Darryl Knights let rip from 20 yards only to see his shot brilliantly palmed away by Blackpool loanee Edge as the ball was arrowing into the far corner of the net.

Vics’ chances of snatching the winner improved as the game went on, but striker Aaron Burns was repeatedly caught off-side while twice going narrowly wide in the closing stages.

Vics remain eight points adrift of Altrincham who occupy the crucial 20th place in the table.

KIDDERMINSTER: MacKenzie; Kenna, Creighton, Jones, Bailey (Barnes-Homer 78); Penn (McGrath 72), Ferrell, Bennett (Russell 58), Jeannin; Christie, Knights. Booked: McKenna, Ferrell.

NORTHWICH: Edge; Meadowcroft, Welch, Belle, Brown; Mullan, Wilson, Crowell, Byrom; Akins (Hanley 66), Burns.

REFEREE: R. Metcalf (Clitheroe).

ATT: 1,282.