HIND FIRES 1874 TO THE TOP OF THE TABLE WITH NARROW WIN AT HANLEY

HANLEY TOWN 0 V 1874 NORTHWICH 1
NWCFL PREMIER @ POTTERIES PARK
17 SEPTEMBER 2016 --- 3PM

SAM HIND CELEBRATES HIS WINNING GOAL FOR 1874

The only goal of an enthralling game saw Sam Hind fire 1874 Northwich back to the top of the table after Hanley Town had threatened to upset the 2nd placed side.  In a close game that was often tantalising it begged a goal and finally got one after 77 minutes and it proved to be the winner leaving the home side feeling slightly hard done by for their creditable efforts.
With no rain today the blog had a free choice apart from trying to avoid any busy supporter trains and the choice was only made on Saturday morning to visit Hanley Town, this was a club we had in mind for a little while after taking in a pre season friendly just down the road at Eastwood Hanley's former Trentmill ground just over a year ago.
Autumn was arriving for with a cold start necessitating a coat and we were soon on the short journey from base station to our first change at Derby were we waited with anticipation for the Crewe bound train.  As the East Midlands service pulled in it was the dreaded 1 carriage service and was pretty well loaded upon departure thankfully it remained comfortable for the 50 minutes to Stoke,  no Stoke City game or Uttoxeter races today otherwise I dread to think of the sardines on show.  The first part of our journey was helped along the way with fellow Derbyshire hopper Alan who was on board for his trip to Uttoxeter v Hinckley AFC it was good to catch up with football from his travels.  Upon is departure we were joined by father and daughter Manchester City supporters Dave and Lucy who were off to see 'the City' in their Premiership game versus Bournemouth.  They were looking resplendent in sky blue, it really is a cracking football kit colour.  An enjoyable chat followed to our departures at Stoke were we said cheerio as they made their onward journey to Manchester and we went in search of the Uni Chippy just around the corner from the station.

UNI CHIPPY FOR ANOTHER VISIT

As ever the fayre was of a good standard and we set off for the 50 minute walk to Bucknall via Hanley Park and onto the busy A52 calling in for water at The Co-op as the day had now become very warm, so much so that Mick had taken off his fleece.  As we changed onto Leek Rd I managed to miss the small footpath that lead us towards the estate that surrounds the ground.  We were soon back on track and entering Potteries Park which is set back from the road.

THE COLIN STAIR STAND

The club have clearly done a lot of work in the close season as the ground looks very smart and presentable.  After paying our entrance fee the ground opens up to a large tarmac spaced area before to the left is the snack cabin which is very smart and clean in both its staff and the cabin too, a credit to the club.  To the far corner is the clubhouse and changing room facilities, the former seems to be split into a bar area and to the left a smarter hospitality area which has a big screen playing todays footy.  Moving around the ground the bottom side goal is uncovered but as per all the way around there is hard standing with a very smart spectator barrier with blue meshed fencing below.  The far side has the dug outs and behind them a small covered standing area as we go round to the top goal this is also like its counterpart uncovered.  Back to the main side were we entered the ground is the Atcost type stand which is dedicated to former manager Colin Stair with the seats having brass plaques I guess to sponsors who have assisted the club.  To the side of this stand is a further concrete base for an extension.  This whole side has a neat wooden fence which has a raised area behind the front hard standing.  A basic but really smart little set up that clearly has a lot of care and attention put into it.  Regular readers will know the blog hates to put any negatives in but todays match day programme at £1 for 8 pages with just a introduction of 1 page to todays visitors and 2 page team line up was a really poor effort for a step 5 club.  Back to the positives and with a ground fast seeing 1874 supporters arriving we should be in for a good atmosphere.

TREASURER WENDY POSES WITH MICK FOR A PHOTO BY THE SMART CAFE

Mick had gone off into conversation with many home and away supporters and I had completed the obligatory circuit and also got talking to quite a few supporters.  We both came away from this game having enjoyed the friendly welcome from both sets of supporters you were a credit to your clubs today, thank you.  Mick had met Hanley Town treasurer Wendy who we managed to capture for a picture thanks for your time today good to catch up with you and your club.  Many of the 1874 supporters were now taking up their positions around Potteries Park and once again they were a great bunch of friendly supporters, Mr Ryde of this blog had suggested they were a good bunch and he was so right.

MATT RUSSELL OF 1874 NORTHWICH

The kick off had arrived all too quickly and 1874 got off to a storming start in the opening 20 minutes as they looked to get the win after losing top spot on goal difference to Atherton Collieries following their draw last night.  But they didn't score and eighth placed Hanley increased in confidence with forays on the break into Northwich territory.

THOMAS BAILEY CONTROLS THE BALL FOR THE VISITORS

Indeed although the possession was in the visitors advantage they had to be thankful to keeper Greg Hall who pulled off 3 superb saves during the opening 45 minutes.  With Hanley finding central defensive pairing of Joel Stair and Josh Thorpe in dominant mood to deny the visitors on their attacks we reached half time goal less.  The half had been an interesting affair and even though nobody had scored the 45 minutes had sailed by.

PLUSH SEATS FOR THE 1874 LADIES

The second half started with Hanley going close through Angelo Errico who curled a shot just wide of the visitors goal to set the pace.  It was now anybody's game and although it looked like their could be a goal it was probably a one goal game.

SAM HIND NEARLY LOSES HIS HEAD AFTER SCORING

That goal did arrive on 77 minutes when Hind fired home on the volley at the back post to score the only goal of this close encounter.  Cleary this meant a lot as Hind and his team mates celebrated with gusto after what had been a hard working week for the visitors.

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

There were a few fractious moments in the second half were some referees would have pulled out the cards but todays referee Jack Sheppard kept a lid on it by a having a 'strong chat'.

EVERYBODY'S KEEPING CALM

As the game entered the 2nd minute of stoppage time Hanley so nearly equalised, probably a goal they deserved for their efforts, when Josh Thorpe fired inches over from 20 yards out.

As we made our way around the ground to the business side of the ground we made acquaintance with one or around 4 non league dogs in attendance today.  Northwich had their own canine supporter in 'Bailey' who had his own bowl and I guess food pitch side.  Having posed happily for a picture you could only but feel an appropriate 1874 corporate coloured scarf would have suited him well.

IF BAILEY SAYS ITS 1-0 THEN ITS 1-0

But shortly after it was time to bid farewell to Hanley Town and 1874 and a long walk back to the station at Stoke, most of the buses here return to Hanley town centre so you would end up catching a bus back out.  So we opted to take a steady walk and aim to depart on the 1833 to Derby.

NEIL CHAPPELL COMES ON TOO HUMOUR

Many of the 1874 fans were now in a small traffic jam waiting to depart the area and their continued friendliness saw them waive their cheerios as we walked past and were even reminded that we had to visit them at their home ground of Winsford, something that we definitely intend to do.
Our chariot arrived at platform 1 and joy of joys it was a 2 carriage train with no problems on gaining a seat we had a comfortable journey back to Derby with a change getting us back to base station at just after 8pm.
Worth a visit to Potteries Park a tidy ground with todays game providing a very interesting game well supported by two sets of welcoming fans, today was a pleasure.