By James Briscoe
Nantwich Town hotshot Steve Foster scored a header after just 28 seconds to set the Dabbers on their way to victory.

It was a first win in four matches for Danny Johnson’s men and was a fitting send off for Frank Hope.

Before kick-off, Weaver Stadium held a minute’s applause for Frank, a devoted Nantwich Town fan who died the day before.

Nantwich looked to get the ball forward straight from kick off and Stamford seemed shell-shocked.

Foster took advantage with a brilliant header from a cultured Andrew Pearson cross on 28 seconds.

Stamford striker, Jordan Smith, threatened with a powerful header of his own on four minutes but it drifted wide of Steve James’ right-hand post.

Nantwich Town v StamfordWith Nantwich top-scorer Aaron Burns warming the frozen, striking partners Ben Deegan and Steve Foster were developing an understanding.

But Stamford were always a threat. Charlie Binns scuffed his shot wide, then hit a volley with great technique on 29 minutes but it whistled over James’ bar.

Then on 35 minutes it seemed the referee had given a penalty to Stamford after Earl Davis challenged Shawn Richards in the area but he was pointing for a goal kick.

It was a Nantwich winger who assisted the next goal though.

Max Harrop swept a cross in to the area and Josh Eastwood skilfully re-directed the ball in to the corner on 39 minutes.

After the break, the visitors fought to get back in the game. Richards threatened James’ goal from long range on 52 minutes, then Nabil Shariff was first to the ball on 54 minutes and his placed effort went agonisingly wide .

Smith somehow bundled wide from close range on 63 minutes when Nantwich failed to clear a deep free-kick.

Then Smith pounced out-of-nothing to drill a shot low in to James’ net on 75 minutes, making it 2-1.

Nantwich substitute Nick Haughton showed his talent when he burst through the middle but he could not give the run the finish it deserved on 85 minutes.

Then, with five minutes of added time on the board, Aaron Burns added to his impressive goal tally with a close range header to calm home fans’ nerves on 90 minutes.

Nantwich manager Danny Johnson said after: “It’s not a relief, I expect these lads to win football matches.

“It’s just an expectation I’ve got because of the way they’ve performed over the past few months and tonight wasn’t vintage, it was a well-ground out performance.

“Stamford had some good chances, we took three and they took one and we ended up winning.

“We’ve not dominated, they probably had more possession. I don’t understand why they are where they are [in the league], they’re very lively.

“Our lads dug in, for some reason we had some tired legs out there, I don’t know why. The defence was solid enough apart from the goal which was poor.

“We’re disappointed we’ve let a lot of points slip over the last four games.”

Nantwich:  Steven James, Andrew Pearson, Andy White, Andy Keogh, Earl Davis, Alex Frost, Josh Eastwood, Oliver Devenney (Alex Meaney 85), Ben Deegan (Nick Haughton 73), Steve Foster, Max Harrop (Aaron Burns 73). Subs: Sam Wilson, Harry Clayton.

(All pictures courtesy of Simon J Newbury Photography)

Applause for Frank Hope at Nantwich Town

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