Deadly duo Joe Lumsden (left) and Scott Ruthven (right) scored Stocksbridge’s goals
Stocksbridge Park Steels caused one of the shocks of the round after holding on to memorably win 2-1 at Evo Stik Division One North heavyweights Northwich Victoria.
The Vics, who had only lost once prior to kick off, threw everything at their visitors, but Stocksbridge’s superb rear guard held their nerve in the FA Trophy first qualifying round tie.
Goals against the run of play in the first half from Scott Ruthven and debutant Joe Lumsden shocked the home side and the Vics could only a muster a Michael Clarke in response.
The Steels had to withstand heavy pressure and bodies were put on the line at the death as the Vics laid siege to their goal in an attempt to rescue a replay.
Even when Steels left-back Rory Coleman was sent off, the Vics were unable to breach their opponent’s back-line.
The victory, arguably the best since Chris Hilton took charge at Bracken Moor, has banked a much-welcome £2,700 in Stocksbridge’s current account.
Northwich cannot use the argument of resting players for the FA Cup first round clash with Boreham Wood next week as all their big guns were playing.
Neither can they say that they were taking it easy due to the amount of possession they enjoyed.
Steels goalkeeper David Reay was the man of the match for his magnificent display. Reay’s handling and shot-stopping was vital as Northwich bombarded the away penalty area throughout the match.
Even Brandon Cardwell being carried off failed to disrupt Hilton’s defence.
Not the best start: Stocksbridge physio Shaun Handisides signals to the bench to say Cardwell cannot carry on. Picture: Gillian Handisides
David Reay was superb in goal for Stocksbridge. Picture: Gillian Handisides
Scott Ruthven celebrates putting Stocksbridge in front
Stocksbridge were under siege for a large majority of the game
Harrison Biggins clears his lines
Northwich manager Jim Gannon was a frustrated figure during the FA Trophy tie
The wild challenge on Josh Meade by Michael Roddy that led to Stocksbridge’s second goal
Lumsden’s header sails into the net. Picture: Gillian Handisides
Lumsden and Stocksbridge celebrate
The game-plan worked to the letter and Stocksbridge were able to catch their hosts out after surviving severe pressure in the opening half hour.
Upfront, the Steels were an unknown quantity as Lumsden was making his debut since moving from Armthorpe so he had never partnered Ruthven.
The pair were excellent and they took their chances. It was Lumsden’s deflected strike that helped break the deadlock. The ball looped over Mason Springthorpe and the goalkeeper managed to palm it onto the crossbar. Ruthven reacted the quickest and scored a simple tap-in to stun the home support.
Northwich had midfielder Michael Roddy to blame for the second goal on the stroke of half-time as his shocking challenge on Josh Meade gave Stocksbridge a free kick in a dangerous area.
The ball was whipped in from the right and Lumsden rose to make his debut a dream one.
Importantly Stocksbridge restricted their hosts to speculative attempts for a long period of the second half.
A Clarke header at the back-post ensured a nervy final 20 minutes for Stocksbridge, but their defence was so compact that it was always going to take something special to take the tie to Bracken Moor in midweek.
Coleman’s controversial red card for kicking out did weaken their back four, but Lumsden slotted in at left-back and helped them to hold on for a remarkable win.
Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton: “We worked on shape in training on Thursday night and on a certain way we wanted to play and nullify them from playing.
“I think they did everything we asked them to do on Thursday. We set up well and alright they had a lot of possession and corners, but tactically we got it right because we won.
“We did ride our luck at times, but we have played numerous games this season when we have created numerous chances and ended up coming off with a draw.
“We knew when it went 2-0 that they would come and throw everything at us. We switched our formation with 20 minutes to go to try and counteract it and we got over the finish line.”
On Rory Coleman’s late red card: “I just had a word with Rory and he says he just tripped him, not violently kicked him.
“He should have had a free kick, but he didn’t get it and he tripped him. He holds his hands up, but says it should have been a yellow.
“I think it was an overreaction by the referee. The referee seemed to be under pressure in the last five or ten minutes as he made some strange decisions, let’s say.”
Northwich Victoria: Springthorpe, Byrne, Duxbury, Krou, Clarke (captain), Astles (Cook 70), Summerskill, Roddy (Amis HT), Bennett (Burnett 70), Howard, Williams. Subs unused: Ali, Smith.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: D Reay. Meade, Coleman, Thompson (Laight 73), McFadyen (captain), Cardwell (M Reay 17), Rhodes (Gregory 65), Biggins, Ruthven, Lumsden, Hinchliffe. Subs unused: Laight, Hilton.
Referee: Paul Hodskinson
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 168
Man of the match: David Reay (Stocksbridge Park Steels)