Vikings FC ran out 3-1 winners over an Irlam side sitting in 7th in the North West Counties Division One before the clash with the Vikings at the Select Security Stadium. The win takes the home side to 7th in the table and above the visitors on goal difference. The Vikings paraded debutant Gary McEvatt and a second homecoming for both Conner McCarthy and Paul Cliff who had been playing for Prescot Cables and Glossop North End respectively. Steve Hill had the strongest team he has had all season to choose from and that proved just as Vikings FC recorded their first win since November. With Widnes coming into this game of the back of a 3-0 home defeat to 1874 Northwich last time out the three points will come as a welcome relief for the club.

Gary McEvatt showed just why he was brought to the club scoring two goals late on, Paul Cliff also shown what Vikings fans have been missing as he provided the assists for both goals. Cliff showed his delight at his performance and being back at the club and said “I have played alright but I can do better, obviously first game back, getting the gist of it.” “It’s one of them you put your head down and get on with it and get 3 points and that is what we did today.” This all came after an early goal against the run of play from Irlam midfielder Gareth Mooney after a delightful through ball found him baring down on goal. Vikings goalkeeper Jack Earle came racing off his line but Mooney drove the ball past Earle. Ben Tollit had tested the Irlam goalkeeper Jamie Brewer more than once in the early minutes as the home side seemed dominant.

A suspected twisted knee would see Brewer’s game end before half time, right back Alex Barlow played out the remainder of the game in goal. As the half progressed both sides provided the spectators with fantastic end to end football with great attacking play on show. New signing McEvatt produce some wonderful skill and control in the Irlam box but missed what seemed to be a sitter as the home side pressed for the equaliser. The away side had chances to increase their lead during the first half but John Main seen his shot strike the post from outside the box, the rebounded shot found Adam Campbell whose shot grazed the top right hand corner of the bar.

Steve Hill made the decision to change things at half time by bringing on Chris Foster for James Thomas, this prompted a change of shape from three at the back to four to contain the away side. Ben Tollitt stroked home a wonderfully hit shot to level the game 2 minutes after half time to emphasise the dominance of the home side before half time. Tollitt along with team mate McEvatt would feel they could have had hat-tricks with all the chances missed.

The home side gathered momentum after pulling level as they searched for the winning goal. The game started to turn as tackles begun to fly in resulting in a number of bookings for both teams. The away side were punished twice late on as they pushed up to grab the winning goal. This proved their downfall as Paul Cliff played off the shoulder of the defenders. Cliff utilised this as he raced down the wing to be confronted by stand in goalkeeper Alex Barlow, the Vikings number 9 looked up and seen Gary McEvatt wide open in the six yard box, the debutant didn’t let his team mate down as he fired the ball into the net after an inch perfect squared pass to give the home side the lead with 6 minutes to go.

Irlam failed to learn their lesson as Cliff again raced clear down the left hand side to look up and see Gary McEvatt free and waiting to snatch his second of the game and seal the win for the Vikings. In a carbon copy of his first goal McEvatt fired the ball past the oncoming Barlow. McEvatt was over the moon with scoring on his debut and said “They were both tap ins to be fair, the hard work was done by Conner McCarthy and Paul Cliff”.

Manager Steve Hill was delighted with his team’s performance and said “Much better performance than last week, I thought we were a lot more balanced.” “I thought the players were competitive today and that is what we aim to do from now and until the end of the season”. The home side had the better of the game as they undone Irlam time and time again, the home side showed their quality going forward throughout the game which was capped off with 3 well-crafted goals. Something manager Steve Hill would hope to continue and will be very pleased about going forward into their next fixture away at Atherton LR.