OJM Black Country V Northwich Victoria (Premier Division)

​OJM were looking to build on their encouraging 3-1 home win against Romulus a few weeks back with another result at the Triplex Sports Association. It’s been a positive season at step five for OJM so far who gained promotion through the MFL Division One play offs last season. A key part of their success has been their home form with four wins from eight matches going into yesterday.  

It’s been an eventful few weeks for Northwich Victoria who appointed Lee Duckworth as their new manager along with Luke Goddard as his assistant. There’s been some notable additions to the squad of late with former Whitchurch Alport striker Alex Hughes coming in and boosting their attacking options.

The Vics were looking to build on a 1-1 home draw against Stourport Swifts a few weeks ago and climb up the table.  

The atmosphere at the Triplex was friendly and welcoming prior to kick off with the weather not too bad for this time of year. The people at OJM were helpful with any media queries and the programme on offer was informative and good value for money. It included a history of Northwich Victoria alongside an update on OJM’s season so far.

The Triplex Sports Association is a brilliant ground to visit and has a bit of character to it. It’s based in Kings Norton and can be reached by either train or bus with good connections to Birmingham City Centre. It’s well worth a visit for casual groundhoppers across the West Midlands area.

Starting line ups

The starting line up for OJM included Tom Clap starting in goal and Brian Smikle captaining the team from right-back. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Star Mayemba leading the line up front and being supported by Jaber Ahmed and Reece Morris on the wings.

There were three changes from their last league match against Romulus a few weeks back with Adam Keough coming into the team and playing at centre back alongside Callum Nimmo.

Northwich Victoria’s starting line up included Kier Barry starting in goal and Joe Camozzi captaining the team from right-back. The formation looked like a 4-4-2 with a front two of Kieran Hamm and Alex Hughes being supported by Sam Unwin and Anton Smith on the wings.

There were five changes from their last league match against Stourport Swifts a few weeks back with Tom Gamble coming into the team and playing in central midfield. 

​First Half

The early stages of the first half were cagey with not that many clear-cut chances in front of goal inside the opening fifteen minutes. Northwich Victoria started the match brightly and were looking to cause OJM problems at the back. The Vics committed a lot of players forward in search of the opener which left them a bit open to the counterattack.

OJM were well organised off the ball and stepped up to the Northwich pressure well throughout the first half. Adam Keough and Callum Nimmo were reading the danger well at centre back and Nathan Walker was doing well to break up the play from holding midfield to stop some of the visitors’ momentum.      

​The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute thanks to a moment of quality in the box. Casey Collins received the ball on the edge of the box before producing a quality finish into the top left corner to make it 1-0 to OJM.

OJM were doing well to limit the chances in front of goal for Northwich Victoria throughout the first half and looked dangerous on the break. They also offered a threat from set pieces with Adam Keough putting his header wide from a dangerous free kick into the box.

Northwich competed well with OJM throughout the first half and were working hard off the ball to stay in the match at 1-0 down. Joe Camozzi was leading by example from right back and doing well to win the ball back for the Vics. Kier Barry was also playing well in goal and looked assured when coming for balls in the box.   

The best chance for the Vics came when Harris Saunders put his header wide from a well delivered corner into the box in the 34th minute.

OJM looked tough to break down and managed to stop Northwich Victoria having a clear cut chance at goal. The Vics were mainly limited to half chances in and around the box throughout the first half which was down to how well OJM were playing defensively.

Second Half

The pattern of the second half was similar to the first, with Northwich starting brightly and having a promising ten-minute spell of momentum in front of goal. Alex Hughes was looking a threat for the Vics up front and making some good runs off the shoulder. He was finding some space in the box and had a header go wide from a good free kick.  

Just as Northwich were building some pressure on the OJM goal, the hosts went up the other end and scored on the break. A quick attacking move down the left hand side resulted in the ball being played to Nathan Walker who produced a brilliant finish into the top left corner to make it 2-0 near the hour mark.

The hosts scored a third a few minutes later to effectively seal the match with half an hour to go. A dangerous free kick played into the box found Adam Keough who headed into the top right corner to make it 3-0 to OJM.  

OJM kept going throughout the second half and made it 4-0 late on when a quality counter attacking move led to Star Mayemba being through on goal with just Kier Barry to beat. The OJM striker produced a composed finish into the bottom right corner to wrap up the three points.   

Northwich Victoria had a late chance to get a consolation goal with a few minutes to go. Substitute Kevin Exell found some space in the box before having his shot instinctively saved by Tom Clapp who managed to push it round the post for a corner.

OJM managed the match well in stoppage time and were able to hold on for a confidence building clean sheet.  

Full Time

OJM were brilliant yesterday and it was clicking both defensively and in front of goal. Key players from last season’s promotion winning squad such as Callum Nimmo have adapted well to the challenges of step five football and that continuity at the back can go a long way at this level.

Adam Keough impressed at centre back yesterday and was constantly reading the danger to stop Northwich attacks. Nathan Walker also linked up the play from holding midfield.

It’s a confidence building win for OJM who have one of the toughest fixture schedules across the MFL over the next month. They play Shifnal (Away), Lichfield (Away), AFC Wulfrunians (Home) and Brocton (Home) over the next few weeks.

It was a tough day at the office for Northwich Victoria yesterday against a well organised OJM side. The effort and endeavour was there from the Vics and they competed well with the hosts for spells of the first and second half. Alex Hughes looks a good signing and was causing some problems in the final third.

It might take a bit of time before the new management team of Lee Duckworth and Luke Goddard get their ideas across and the team starts clicking. On paper, it’s a very attacking squad with Sam Unwin having a track record at this level over the last few seasons.

Their upcoming fixtures this month include Studley (Away), Shifnal Town (Home), 1874 Northwich (Away), Lichfield City (Home). Despite their league position, there’s still plenty to play for and opportunities to test themselves against play off chasing teams.                 

FT score: OJM Black Country 4-0 Northwich Victoria

Man of the match: Adam Keough (OJM Black Country)

Attendance: 49

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League