By James Briscoe
Nantwich Town winger Osebi Abadaki was man of the match as the Dabbers cruised to a 4-1 Boxing Day win over Stafford Rangers.
Strikers Ben Deegan, Steve Foster and Aaron Burns all scored, and the hosts could have netted many more.
Stafford’s ex-Dabber Jon Brain was hard at work all afternoon, and called into action early on to deny Foster.
But Nantwich took the lead in the 13th minute when Abadaki latched on to a Mark Jones through ball to slot home.
Stafford hit back when Andrew Griffiths glanced in a header from a Sean Kinsella free-kick over an out-rushing Jack Cudworth on 16 minutes.
Both sides created chances, but Nantwich were dominant and before the break had chances through Harry Clayton and Oliver Devenney. Ben Deegan headed against the post with the goal gaping, and Sam Wilson fired over.
But after the break, Danny Johnson’s men re-discovered their finishing touch.
Deegan forced the ball home on 47 minutes to lead the way, before Foster scored the pick of the goals on 66 minutes.
He was played through by Deegan before delightfully chipping over the keeper for 3-1.
Abadaki was a constant thorn with his blistering pace, and then substitute Aaron Burns popped up in the box to earn a penalty on 75 minutes. Burns converted the spot-kick.
Nantwich boss Johnson said after the match: “At this stage of the season over Christmas when the games come thick and fast you take 4-1.
“I just said to the lads in the changing rooms at the end of the game it’s about standards and the amount of chances we created not just in the second half but the first half as well, we should have been out of sight at half time.
“Jack’s rarely been tested apart from the goal but we brought problems on ourselves. I think if we are to get in the top eight we’ve got to be better than we were today. I don’t think better teams will allow us to be that bad. Having said that our attacking football at times was breath-taking.
“Osebi’s a young lad, I probably need to get off his case a little bit but he’s eager to learn and I’m sure he’ll continue to do so.
“It was really pleasing for Steve Foster [to score]. His mother’s really poorly, his granddad died on Christmas Eve, so really pleased with Steve and thoughts and prayers are with Steve and his family at this time.”
Johnson also revealed that Max Harrop is set to return from injury.
“Max is ready to go now so maybe Saturday might be the time to freshen things up. I was really impressed with Andy Keogh when he came on.
“He got on the ball and pushed balls in to the right areas and kept us ticking over which was a real pleasing sign. And Andy Pearson’s chomping at the bit and ready to go.”
Nantwich Town take on Frickley at the Weaver Stadium this Saturday (December 28)
Nantwich Town: Jack Cudworth, Sam Wilson, Andy White, Mark Jones , Alex Frost, Adam Jones (Earl Davis 48), Harry Clayton, Oliver Devenney (Andrew Keogh 79), Ben Deegan (Aaron Burns 67) Steve Foster, Osebi Abadaki. Subs: Max Harrop, Andrew Pearson.
(All pictures courtesy of Simon J Newbury Photography)
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