Accrington Stanley started the 2004/2005 campaign in superb form but in recent weeks results have started to go against them but after being knocked out of both the FA Cup and LDV Vans Trophy in the space of a few weeks John Coleman's men had the chance to focus on the league but in their way stood the form side in the Conference, Northwich Victoria. The Vics had picked up ten points out of their last four matches and conceded only two goals and so the Reds would need something special to get back to winning ways, and that special thing was lee McEvilly.
But it wasn't McEvilly who opened the scoring but Steve Flitcroft as the midfielder, who recently revealed that he was looking to cement his place in the team, pounced upon a mistake from the visiting goalkeeper, Andy Ralph, to make it one nil after just two minutes.
Man-Of-The-Match Lee McEvilly doubled the home side's lead just before the half time whistle with a powerful shot which Ralph had no chance with.
Lee McEvilly was in magnificent form on the left side of midfield and it was the former Northern Ireland international that hit the third for Stanley. The summer signing superbly skipped past the visiting defence's challenges before hitting a great shot into the top corner to send the home fans and manager John Coleman wild.
The best goal of the game was scored by Ged Brannan. The former Manchester City and Wigan Athletic man picked up the ball 35 yards from the Northwich Victoria goal before hitting a magnificent volley to score a great goal.
Lee McEvilly capped a great performance by scoring in the 79th minute to gain his hat trick and put the game out of Northwich's reach with Stanley's third goal in 24 minutes and seal a five nil win for the Reds.
The Vics best player, Paul Brayson missed two great chances along with Peter Handyside shooting over Danny Alcock's crossbar as the visitors tried, and failed, to get an consolation but Paul Mullin could have made it six for Accrington but his shot was saved.