Northwich Victoria 1-0 Charlton Athletic
Giant Killers Northwich Victoria will be hoping for a big second round draw.
Sunday, 08, Nov 2009 03:41
By Sam Ross.
Teenage striker Wayne Riley scored nine minutes from time to earn Northwich Victoria a famous victory against League One side Charlton Athletic.
Northwich added to the list of giantkillings this weekend against a Charlton side that had previously never lost to a non-league club.
It was the first time the Blue Square North side had welcomed a league side to their Victoria Stadium and there won't be many other league teams wanting to draw them in the second round.
Northwich dominated the first half and could easily have gone in at the break at least one nil up if it wasn't for Addicks keeper Darren Randolph.
The Londoners struggled to create any real goal scoring opportunities and found themselves under severe pressure from Northwich.
The home side's biggest goal threat came from 6ft 5in centre half Mathew Bailey who crept forward for every set piece. The big defender troubled the opposition's defence and inside five minutes he jumped well to flick on Ian Herrings long throw but no one was there to follow it up at the back post.
With Charlton failing to get a strong hold on the game it was Northwich who were testing the league side, placed 86 league places above them.
On 25 minutes Randulph was called into action for the first time to athletically turn over Bailey's header from a Northwich corner.
Minutes later Northwich were involved in a goal scramble to exceed all others. From another long throw the ball dropped to the feet of Mike Connor who's shot was blocked. The ball then seemed to fall to every member of the Northwich team but no one was able turn the ball over the line with Christian Daily clearing off the line before Randulph finally smothered the ball.
The best chance of the half came towards the end and unsurprisingly involved Bailey from a long throw. This time Connor gambled at the back post and connected with Baileys flick on but was denied by a great save from Randulph.
The 22-year-old keeper, replacing the injured Rob Elliot, reacted superbly to turn away Connor's header and allow Charlton to go in at the interval level.
The second half began with a nasty incident involving Addicks striker Izale Mcleod who straight from kick off appeared to have elbowed Connor. The former England under 21 forward should consider himself lucky to have remained on the pitch after referee David Webb seemed to have missed the collision.
With the score remaining 0-0 after 65 minutes Charlton manager Phil Parkinson changed his forward line, replacing Izale McLeod and Jonjo Shelvey with Deon Burton and Leon McKenzie.
McKenzie almost made an instant impact but for an excellent blocking challenge by Herring.
The 76th minute saw the introduction of match winner Wayne Riley for veteran Lee Elam. Five minutes later the 18 year old scored the most famous and important goal of his life. After latching on to Michael Aspin's looped header he raced on to slide the ball through the legs of the onrushing Randulph.
Defender Bailey had the chance to double their lead but his header was cleared off the line by Sam Sodje.
All Northwich had to do was hold on to their one goal advantage and with five minutes of injury time there were many Vics fans praying.
But with man of the match Bailey and the impressive Nathaniel Kerr at the back Charlton were unable to break them down and they held on for a famous victory.