The Posh Spice reunion

Off the field, the draw for the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup looked a good proposition - a game away to local, well supported opposition, 1874 Northwich, which gave the prospect of some gate receipts being left over to share without being eaten up by travel costs. Our hosts were formed when Northwich Victoria left the town, by supporters who felt the club now playing at Flixton were unlikely to return to Northwich, or to be an adequate continuation of the history and tradition of Northwich Victoria. Currently they play at Winsford United.

The walk from the station is through a residential area. There was evidence of an Oddfellows' Arms, converted into a convenience store, which seemed not to have been convenient, as it in turn had closed. The only pub on the way was the Prince's Feathers, a friendly establishment, somewhat lacking in its beer range, but with some.decent bottled ciders.

On the field, we were expecting a tough game, with Northwich having made a good start to their season. The.ground once had a greyhound track round the pitch: I remember the track lights still being there when I last visited for a pre season game a few years ago. I took up position in line with the goal we were attacking.

Stephen Milne

One of the home stewards, having confirmed I was photographing for the club website, invited me to go on the pitch side of the rails, on the old track, but I opted to stay put.

Having commented in pre season that not many clubs play in green, once again we encountered the second opponents in a row in the colour.

James McCulloch

There was some co-ordinated singing from the other side of the ground, which we tend not to do much, only when we have a full turnout for an away game. Eventually I recognised a group we had last seen in our relegation season of 2008-9. For ease of reference, we will call them the Posh Spices, after one of their more memorable songs, a scurrilous rhyme about which of our players Mrs Beckham may have had in mind when spending time with her husband. They were students then, and picked our FA Cup game at Congleton Town out of a hat, then came to five or six other games that season, including having a Celebrations tin they were using as a makeshift drum at Witton Albion confiscated on the grounds it was not a proper instrument. With our first Saturday foray into Cheshire in the FA Cup since then, they were having a reunion.

The Posh Spices watch Mark Kilroy - as does a supporter who happened to be standing next to them

I was standing next to the group for the second half, which was an amusing way to spend it, although I was at risk of not being able to hold the camera steady. Being 1-0 down at half time, and Northwich scoring almost immediately after the restart, things did not look good, although Charlie Stoker restored hope with a goal shortly afterwards. I sent this shot to the Merseymart as being his heading for goal, although at this point he has some distance to go.

Charlie Stoker

A third goal from Northwich seemed to have put the game out of reach as the rain started.

Jack Hont

A welcome return by Rob Doran made a difference, with one of his shots being put wide for a corner which led to a bundled goal from Liam Dodd.

Rob Doran

Liam Dodd

The game still looked to have slipped away, until a long range shot from Assistant Manager Neil Black secured a replay when we would have had no cause for complaint if we had been knocked out, and kept the Posh Spices still singing when I left a few minutes later to catch my train.

Neil Black

The team celebrate having another chance on Tuesday

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.

Final score 1874 Northwich 3, Prescot Cables 3 (Stoker, Dodd, Black)