Colne crashed to defeat at the hands of 1874 Northwich on Saturday. The Reds fought hard but were unable to match their opponents in a competitive game and had to settle for a consolation goal in the dying minutes.
In the early stages the game was end-to-end but Colne had a let-off after only seven minutes when a mix-up in their defence saw Tom Fagan play the ball across his own penalty area leaving his keeper stranded. But just as 1874 looked sure to score team-mates got back to block the shot at an empty net.
At the other end, Colne threatened the home goal with a series of attacks. And Glenn Steel’s long throw fell for Luke Stowe whose shot was blocked in the home penalty area and Craig Carney’s follow-up flew just wide of the home goal.
But on 24 minutes, the Colne defence was opened up by a good through ball for Joe Woolley who got past keeper Hakan Burton and looked a certain scorer before Harry Winstanley cleared the ball off his toes with a great tackle.. And from the resulting corner Woolley turned the ball home at the near post to give 1874 the lead.
Colne looked for a reply and forced a series of corners but were unable capitalise. And a free kick by Owen Watkinson was saved by ex-Red Tony Aghayere diving across his line.
As the second half began, Colne came under pressure when Matt Woolley and Jack Irlam made dangerous runs through the Reds defence. And a vital tackle by Fagan stopped Woolley’s run into the Colne area before Winstanley cleared the danger.
But after 55 minutes, a Northwich free kick on the right found Jamal Crawford beyond the far post and when he returned it across the face of the goal, the ball was fired home by Irlam to double 1874’s lead.
Colne pressed forward looking to reduce the deficit and enjoyed a period of attacking with Alex Henderson supplying good crosses into the box and Watkinson working hard in the middle but the Northwich defence held firm.
After 75 minutes, a diagonal free kick by Joe Woolley was knocked in at the far post by Matty Fenton to give Northwich a three goal lead. And twelve minutes later, Colne went further behind when a Northwich free kick gave Joe Woolley the chance of a shot at goal and although Burton got down to parry the shot Isaac Noble fired home the loose ball to give his side a four goal lead.
Colne continued to look for a goal at the other end and after 89 minutes good work by Cuan Bradley resulted in a cross into the Northwich goalmouth which was turned in by Danny Kyobe for a consolation goal for the Reds.
And two minutes later, at the other end, Northwich were awarded a penalty for a hand ball incident and Burton denied Matt Woolley diving across his line to keep the ball out of the net with a good save.