nantwichtownfc

ndab · Site Admin Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 68

Match Report

UniBond League First Division South

Saturday 29th March.2008.

NANTWICH TOWN 3 v Stocksbridge Park Steels 0
Dave Walker. 25.
Adam Beasley. 48.
Christopher Clements.92.

Referee: Mr R.J Parker.
Attendance: 434.

Nantwich were without Andy Kinsey (head injury) whilst Ryan Dicker was rested ahead of Tuesday’s Cheshire Senior Cup Final. Meanwhile, ‘The Dabbers’ were boosted by the return from injury of left back Gyorgy Kiss and goal keeper Lee Jones whilst facial injury victim Richard Smith declared himself fit enough to do battle in the heart of defence. Dave Walker started in place of the departed Nick Farquharson with loan Crewe Alexandra Academy midfielder Chris Clements coming off the bench to replace him in the second half, but there was no place for Thursday’s other signing, winger Thomas Birch.

Despite the wet and windy conditions, Nantwich adapted better to the conditions. Playing in a 4-4-2 formation, with the new pairing of Suhaj and Walker in the front line, ‘The Dabbers’ took the game to Stocksbridge from the start. Club captain Phil Parkinson slipped a well timed pass through to Dave Walker in the 6th minute before the recently signed striker lost his footing on the heavy surface just as he was about to turn for goal.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Richard Smith conceded a corner from a Darren Schofield shot before Lee Jones responded to the high incoming ball and claimed it with confidence at the far post. From the clearance, ‘The Dabbers’ built an attack down the visitor’s right before Walker flicked on to ‘Pav’ who was denied a shot by the narrowest of margins after Jeffery came off his line to gather the ball.

On the quarter hour, Stocksbridge winger Alwyn Riley tested ‘Jonah’ with a free kick from outside the box followed by Andy Ring bringing strike partner Carl Fothergill into play, who then drove a low shot from close range into the arms of our waiting ‘keeper. But, despite that spark by promotion chasing Stocksbridge they were left chasing the game for a while. A five man Nantwich move in the 22nd minute looked promising, but despite Dave Walker squaring from deep across the box we didn’t have a player on hand to follow in with the loose ball. However, three minutes later Walker claimed his first goal since signing for ‘The Dabbers’. Stocksbridge yielded to pressure deep on their right hand side before conceding a corner. From the in swinging Danny Griggs flag kick, the ball dropped in the 6 yard box before ‘Parky’ reacted quickest to play in Dave Walker who got enough of a touch on it before guiding the ball over the line. Stocksbridge made immediate attempts to hit back but were continually stifled by the resolute ‘Dabbers’.

‘Ash’ Carter’s tenacity in the 29th minute won a further corner after Jefferey was forced to palm behind meanwhile, a Stocksbridge free kick was dealt with by a confident looking home defence before Adam Beasley latched on to a clearance and volleyed narrowly over the bar from just outside the box. At the other end, Riley tested ‘Jonah’ with a shot from inside the box before ‘Griggsy’ powered a fierce drive toward goal from distance only to be denied by the legs of visitors centre half Steve Kennedy.

Ten minutes before the break, Paul Taylor stretched to latch on to a ‘Griggsy’ free kick from distance but was unable to wrap his right foot accurately enough around the ball before placing the effort wide. A minute before the break, Stocksbridge threatened through Riley after the winger progressed deep along our right flank before delivering a powerful shot that flashed across the face of goal. Fortunately, there was no Stocksbridge player on hand to take advantage before the ball went out for a throw-in.

In truth, goals apart, the second half largely belonged to ‘The Dabbers’. However, during the second minute of the new period Adam Beasley produced a valuable defensive clearance when midfielder Ian Richards advanced far enough to place a shot at goal from just inside the box. ‘The Dabbers’ then reversed the flow of the game and in the 47th minute, ‘Ash’ Carter’s run to deep on the right allowed him the opportunity to cross to the far post from where ‘Pav’ was denied from a diving header by some brave goal keeping by Jefferey. But, Nantwich were not to be denied further and a minute later deservedly went ahead through Adam Beasley. During the build up, Jefferey’s attempted clearance was collected half way inside his own half by the unmarked ‘Beaso’ whose first time volley arched over Jefferey before hitting the back of the net.

On 55 minutes, the busy Stocksbridge custodian just managed to smother an effort from ‘Pav’ whilst at the other end, visitors midfielder Beggs placed a shot from an angle that failed to trouble ‘Jonah’ whilst Stocksbridge right back Adams then placed a close range header wide of the left hand post. And that was virtually the last to be seen of Stocksbridge as an attacking force. ‘Ash’ Carter’s 70th minute strike flew off a defender to safety – ‘Pav’ then refused to give up on three consecutive tackles on the half way line before playing in the well positioned ‘Beaso’ who was then denied an unchallenged run on goal by the offside flag. Considering the conditions ‘The Dabbers’ were playing some very attractive football in front of another large gathering at The Weaver Stadium. A seven man Nantwich move resulted in a late corner although disappointingly, nothing came of it and Stocksbridge were allowed to clear.

Chris Clements, who had earlier replaced Dave Walker, gradually began to make his mark and produced a series of promising moves that allowed ‘The Dabbers’ to probe deeper in the opposition half. ’Ash’ brought a great save out of the under pressure Jefferey in the 87th minute whilst two minutes later, good link up play between Clements and ‘Taz’ provided an opportunity for ‘Pav’ who was denied when Jefferey came way off his line to smother the ball. But, the on loan Crewe Academy midfielder was not to be denied a goal in his first outing. In added time, the 18 year old, who has scored 11 times for the under 18’s,including a hat-trick against Premiership Middlesborough, ran deep toward the left hand side of goal before placing a shot that Jefferey somehow managed to divert. However, the tenacity of the youngster won him the advantage and after dragging the ball from the bye line he lifted it over the Stocksbridge goal keeper before it nestled in the bottom far corner of the net to wrap up a very satisfying afternoon against one of ‘The Dabbers’ foremost promotion challengers. The win, plus results elsewhere, places Nantwich within two points of second placed Cammell Laird although the Merseysider’s have a game in hand.

Steve Davis was more than just pleased with the result when he said: “That was a complete team performance by us, and we still managed to play our football, despite the difficult conditions. Every single one of our players displayed commitment throughout and they (Stocksbridge) can have no complaint with the result. Currently, the four point gap, with two games in hand over Grantham strengthens our hand. However, at the cost of repeating myself, we must not become complacent and every league game must be treated as a cup final. Whilst the run – in is likely to throw up a few strange results we must not fall into the trap of hoping others may do us a favour. Let us play to our strength’s in every match and earn a promotion play-off place on merit”.

Rodney Densem Wines ‘Man of the March’. Paul Taylor.

distant dabber · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

Cheers ndab.

Travelling up for the Final tomorrow, and for the away game against Belper on Saturday. Can't wait.

Distant Dabber.