Northwich Vics 1 Morecambe 0
Nationwide Conference
Satrurday, August 26
GARY Fletcher proved he deserved his first start of the season by stealing the show against Morecambe on Saturday.
The teenager grabbed the game's only goal to give Vics their first three points of the season and had the Shrimps cowering in their shells every time he attacked their defence.
This was exemplified on no better occasion than the 34th minute goal. Fletcher, after teasing his way past three defenders, played a one-two with Adie Mike and casually rolled the ball past Mike Smith from eight yards.
As far as Mike was concerned, this was a lesson in finishing which he would do well to heed. While Fletcher ran Morecambe ragged and got himself and his team off the mark for the season, Mike still awaits his first goal after starting all three matches.
But this shouldn't be the case as, on 24 minutes, the hard working Mark Devlin cut the ball back and the former Manchester City man blazed over the bar from six yards.
Colin Rose had missed a similar chance in the first minute and some alert Morecambe defending also denied Mike a clear chance as Vics dominated the first half.
Devlin should have made it two just before the break when he connected with Darren Vicary's square ball, but he flashed it agonisingly wide of the far post.
Morecambe's best threats came early in the second half, Phil Eastwood dragging a shot wide with only Lance Key to beat, before the keeper had to be alert to tip Stewart Drummond's low drive wide of the upright.
On the hour, Morecambe boss Jim Harvey made a triple substitution, heralding former skipper Steve Walters' return to the Drill Field.
The biggest impression he made was on Mark Devlin's leg, catching his former midfield partner with a late lunge just two minutes after entering the fray.
With the crowd inevitably baying for blood, Walters escaped even a yellow card.
Although Devlin was denied by a sprawling Smith on 68 minutes, Vics were more committed to defending their lead than going for a second.
They did this with determination and spirit, the likes of John Robertson, Steve Davis and Mark Bailey all making vital late interceptions.
And Key, with renewed confidence after keeping his place ahead of Malcolm Rigby, tipped over a last minute John Norman header with minimum fuss.
Thus ended Vics' third consecutive 1-0 result, the difference being it was they celebrating the only goal, a pleasing achievement against a much-fancied team that thrashed the Greens 5-0 back in April.
Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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