ANDY Preece showed his appreciation of Northwich Vics’ loyal core of supporters after his already-relegated side showed what they are now capable of on Saturday.
The comfortable 3-0 victory over Lewes, who have also dropped through the Blue Square Premier trapdoor, was Vics’ fourth consecutive win.
Just 487 passed through the Marston’s Arena turnstiles at the weekend but caretaker boss Preece was quick to thank those in green and white.
“It’s really important that the fans come through the gate to see us and we are certainly giving them all value for money now!
“We could have scored more on Saturday which shows just how far we have come from where we were.
“We deserved to win but Lewes did not make it easy for us as they put ten men behind the ball but we still created chances. It was a real team performance.”
Vics had to wait until the half-hour mark before the first goal which saw skipper Simon Grand head home Joel Byrom’s pinpoint free kick.
On the stroke of half-time Jonny Allan was denied by Lewes keeper Rikki Banks but the in-form striker was not to be thwarted after the break.
On 78 minutes, Allan fired home from Mat Bailey’s flick on before Allan sealed the points with his second finishing well from substitute Jamie Mullan’s cross.
Preece added: “I thought Jamie (Mullan) gave us a bit of a spark when he came on so I was pleased with him. We also looked solid at the back.”
On form Vics are the Conference Premier’s second-best side behind Oxford United proving that Preece and assistant Andy Morrison are shoe-ins for the managerial job on a permanent basis once Vics’ finances are brought under control.
Northwich host Ebbsfleet United tomorrow night (Thursday, 7.45) and finish their season on Sunday in front of a crowd expected to be in excess of 5,000 at Oxford United (4pm).
