Right from the kick-off there was an unusual energy and focus about the team. Bugler was calm and efficient in defence, timing his tackles to perfection; Phoenix, Wilcock and Midgley battled hard; Bragg was the soul of reliability in goal; and midfielders Frewin and Fazakerley were outstanding.
In attack, Hollis pulled off some amazing runs down the right none of which, however, was converted. There were also some excellent passing moves with Ashworth, Frewin and Fazakerley. For all that, though, the home side went ahead in the twenty-second minute, leaving Tod 1-0 down at the end of the half.
The second half saw two new strikers being brought on: Jake Lorimer and Aaron Scott. Both made a difference, though not before Northowram had increased their lead to 2-0 in the second minute of the half.
Two minutes later, Lorimer was brought down in the box and Ashworth slammed the penalty home. Then Northowram scored again: 1-3. Spectators began to wonder whether this was going to be another clear defeat for Tod.
But then, within an eight minute period, Scott scored a match-winning hat-trick, each goal the result of effective teamwork and fierce finishing. With only four minutes left, the home side piled on the pressure and had plenty of chances. But they did not have an Aaron Scott!