Whitchurch Alport manager Luke Goddard wore a smile the length of the Yockings Park pitch as his side notched their first Premier Division win.

Alport had to work really hard before banking the three points, much to the relief of the bulk of the 240 crowd.

That win had been a long time coming, according to the Alport chief who had done his homework on the Vics side who arrived in Shropshire following a three-game winning streak.

The game was settled after 17 minutes when Nick Porter headed in from Lee Pickerill's corner – and Goddard revealed Porter had taken heed of a pre-match talk.

“I told Ports I wanted him to repay the faith I was about to show by naming him in the side," said the manager.

"I told him I was disappointed with his performance in the cup tie last week but I had belief in him and knew he could do job with his experience, so I was delighted for him when he popped up with the winning goal.

"Nick is a naturally-fit lad but he missed some of pre-season and then had to serve a suspension after he was sent off at Padiham.”

Goddard spoke about the strength in depth he has at his disposal, admitting there were still a number of players striving to reach match fitness.

"We had one or two bodies in there today that aren’t quite up to it yet physically," he said.

"Last year in Division One we could have carried them easily but this year is a totally different ball game.

"We’ve seen already the physical demands this division will bring but we recruited well in the summer, bringing in a number of players with step four experience that will prove vital in the months ahead.

"We’ve faced a really difficult start with some of the sides we’ve played and last night we went to Congleton, who had won all seven of their games so far.

"We weren't frightened by that statistic, but these are the kind of challenges we were desperate to face when we were in Division One.

"We still have Alex Hughes, Simon Everall, Dan Skelton and Ricky Bridge to come back into the side – and having that sort of armoury at your disposal, especially when everyone is fit, will be a nice problem to have.

"It might take me six to 12 months to put this football club where I want it to be, but days like these are ones to savour – and beating the likes of Northwich Victoria, who remain one of the biggest names in non-league, shows how far we have come.”

The Reds chief said that despite the nervy last 15 minutes, he felt Northwich played into his side's hands.

“I had watched them on Sunday so pretty much knew how they’d line-up. We knew we’d have to soak up a bit of pressure but when the two centre backs missed anything at all – and that was a rarity – the best goalkeeper in the league, Dave Parton, was there to show how important he is to our side. That’s why we brought him here.”

Sponsors Tilstock Motors named Parton as their man of the match.

n Whitchurch are at home again on Saturday when they entertain Hanley Town in a match sponsored by Doddingtons Jewellers.

n Players' sponsorships are £50 each but are selling quickly. Any businesses or individuals looking to sponsor a player will get their name alongside the player of their choice in the Timekeeper matchday magazine. Contact the club for more details.