
Town's Jekyll and Hyde season continued today with a 3 v 2 defeat away to Northwich Victoria.Chris Wilder's annoyance and disappointment was plain to see after witnessing a game in which his side took a 2 goal lead into the half time interval, following a dominant first half display, but somehow lost the game after the home sides fight back.
Ryan Toulson retained his place in a youthful line up and Tom Kearney replaced the injured Martin Foster in midfield.Up front Lewis Killeen shook off a calf injury to partner Ryan Sugden.The oldest player in the team was Craig Mawson at 27.
Town started brightly and should have had an early penalty but astonishingly both the Referee and his Assistant missed a clear handball as a defender blocked Danny Forrest's show with both hands. Forrest and Killeen were involved in most Town moves and Toulson enjoyed acres of space on the right.
Forrest gave Town the lead after 15 minutes.Captain Tyrone Thompson won a midfield duel and fed Killeen who in turn found Forrest on the penalty spot. The ex Bradford man took one touch before firing home his 3rd goal of the season with a low left footed shot.Tom Kearney shot narrowly over minutes later after excellent work on the left by Matt Doughty.
Northwich hardly threatened but Toulson was alert enough to clear Kevin Townson's overhead kick from under his own bar.
Steve Torpey is quickly establishing himself as a real player of quality at this level and the finish to his goal on 27 minutes was mirror image of the fantastic goal scored by Frank Lampard for Chelsea against Barcelona in midweek.Torpey beat his man on the left and was challenged on the byline but somehow manged to swivel and chip the keeper from the narrowest of angles.
Sugden almost added a third from Toulson's near post cross but then came what may be Northwich's pivotal moment in the game.With his team being outplayed Steve Bur introduced substitute Felix Bastians, a loanee from Nottingham Forest.
Mawson pulled off a fine save to deny Paul Brayson and Townson hit the post as the Vics looked for a way back into the game.And, on half time Referee Mr Haines looked to have given them one when Jake Wright has adjudged to have fouled Brayson despite no Northwich players of fans appeals.Justice was done as Mawson saved ex Town player Stuart Elliott's penalty and the half time interval saw a confident Town side with a 2 v 0 lead.
The second half started in the same vein with Forrest testing Phil Seniors abilities with a long range shot that the home keeper smartly turned away for a corner.Within a minute Sugden's shot lacked the power to trouble Senior.
Northwich gave themselves a lifeline with a 59th minute goal.Bastians skipped passed Toulson and his cross landed on Michael Carr's forehead. The Vics were back in the game but Town responded well with efforts by Sugden and Torpey.Shane Smeltz and Chris Senior replaced Sugden and Killeen on 68 minutes.
Stuart Elliott shot wide from the edge of the box as Northwich pressed for an equaliser and it wasn't long in coming.Town had numerous opportunities but failed to clear a Vics attack and from a right wing cross Paul Brayson glanced home a near post header.
Forrest shot at goal as Town sought a winner but Bastians injury time winner sealed the victory. The left sided player cut in and his shot took a huge deflection leaving Mawson with no chance.And, Town had no opportunity to fight back and left the field wondering how a super first half showing and a 2 goal lead had filtered away.
| 1 | Phillip Senior | : | Craig Mawson | 1 | ||||
| 4 | Gareth Griffiths | : | Ryan Toulson | 12 | ||||
| 12 | Stephen Payne | : | Adam Quinn | 5 | ||||
| 3 | Tony Gallimore | : | Jake Wright | 14 | ||||
| 7 | Danny Mayman | : | Matthew Doughty | 3 | ||||
| 8 | Michael Carr | : | Danny Forrest | 7 | ||||
| 5 | Stuart Elliott | : | Tom Kearney | 6 | ||||
| 15 | Ryan Brown | ![]() |
33 | : | Tyrone Thompson | 18 | ||
| 22 | Louis Dodds | : | 90 | ![]() |
Steve Torpey | 20 | ||
| 10 | Paul Brayson | : | 69 | ![]() |
Lewis Killeen | 10 | ||
| 18 | Kevin Townson | ![]() |
68 | : | 68 | ![]() |
Ryan Sugden | 11 |
| 14 | Michael Byrne | ![]() |
68 | : | 69 | ![]() |
Shane Smeltz | 9 |
| 17 | Mark Sale | : | 68 | ![]() |
Chris Senior | 15 | ||
| 2 | Richard Battersby | : | Tom Matthews | 25 | ||||
| 25 | Felix Bastians | ![]() |
33 | : | 90 | ![]() |
Nicky Gray | 23 |
| 20 | Ben Connett | : | Mark Roberts | 16 | ||||
| Goal Attempts | 11 | : | 18 | Goal Attempts |
| On Target | 3 | : | 12 | On Target |
| Crosses | 1 | : | 1 | Crosses |
| Corners | 7 | : | 8 | Corners |
| Offside | 3 | : | 4 | Offside |
| Fouls | 11 | : | 11 | Fouls |
| Free kicks | 14 | : | 14 | Free kicks |
| - | : | - | Yellow cards | |
| - | : | - | Red cards | |
| % Possession | 54 | : | 46 | Possession % |




















