Barnoldswick Town 2 1874 Northwich 1
BARNOLDSWICK Town celebrated their first home North West Counties Premier Division game for 11 weeks with a hard-earned win.
They got off to a flying start when striker John Beckwith scored in only the second minute and their cause was helped when the visitors had Louis James sent off for a foul on the goalscorer in the ninth minute.
Northwich's keeper Greg Hall was forced to make saves to prevent Beckwith and then Joe Gaughan from extending the lead.
It wasn't all one-way traffic and Jordan Godley had to be alert to deny Matthew Ward, Ryan Jackson, Stuart Wellstead and Matthew Beadle before the break.
The start of the second half was delayed after referee Colin Whitaker sustained an injury, and 1874 treasurer John Coates – a qualified match official – took over as substitute linesman.
Barlick thought they had extended their lead when James Longdon rolled the ball home after Hall had parried Gaughan's shot, but Coates ruled he had strayed offside.
The second goal finally arrive in the 62nd minute when Gaughan smashed the ball into the net after being left unmarked at a corner.
Northwich rallied an pulled a goal back in the 75th minute when Jackson netted from Matthew Woolley’s pass.
Gaughan fired two good chances over the bar before Northwich were denied an equaliser when Ryan Mitchell was ruled offside after netting from close range
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