Blyth FA Cup - Nantwich Town's Weaver Stadium, pre-season games, community football

Nantwich Town’s second pre-season game ended in a 0-0 stalemate against Conference North side Stockport County at the Weaver Stadium, writes Richard Scott.

The Dabbers held their own against the former Football League side and could have won it with a clear penalty claim.

Max Harrop seemed to be brought down in the box in the second half, but the referee waved away claims.

The chance of the game fell to the visitors from a Scott Spencer free kick, which Steve Phillips parried out for a corner.

The resulting corner was cleared safely by the Dabbers backline as the game settled down into a midfield battle.

On 10 minutes the Hatters should have gone ahead with Kristain Dennis went through on goal, but his shot from an acute angle went just wide of Phillips’ post.

Stockport continued to threaten through Vinny Mukendi, but he was unable to convert the half chances that fell his way.

At the other end the Dabbers created a series of crosses following impressive passing displays, but were unable to find the end product to test visiting keeper Ian Ormson.

A deep Mark Jones free kick in the 36th minute saw Mat Bailey challenge with Ormson – but the keeper held strong and recovered the ball.

But neither team were able to find an opening and the half ended goalless.

At half time subs were a plenty with County making a number of changes. Danny Johnson opted to give goalkeeper Terry Smith, Max Harrop and a trialist a run out in place of Steve Phillips, Jordan Johnson and Harry Clayton.

The restart suited Stockport, who had a couple of early half chances that amounted to nothing.

The Dabbers’ first chance of the second half fell to Andy White, but the Dabbers’ skipper blazed wide on the half-volley.

Then at the other end a mistake for Scott Lycett allowed Mukendi in but he failed to test Terry Smith in the goal.

As the game ticked over the hour mark, the Dabbers had a couple of chances – Max Harrop playing a long cross for Andy White, who saw his effort well saved. Shortly afterwards, Harrop tried a long range effort which went over the bar.

Nantwich were denied a penatly in the 69th minute when Max Harrop was seemingly brought down in the box. The linesmen signaled for a foul, but the referee didn’t point to the spot and overruled his colleague.

With the game coming to a close, Louis Callaghan broke down and got a cross in which was cleared before Harrop had a shot which just flashed wide of Hurst’s goal.

With three minutes to go Johnson brought on Harry McLennan for Scott Lycett. McLennan is a product of the Nantwich Town Academy – making the step up to the first team for the first time.

McLennan had time to put in a meaningful challenge to prevent a Stockport attack – a sure sign of things to come. But that was the last meaningful of the game, which finished goalless.

After the game, Dabbers boss Danny Johnson said: “There a lot of positives. I am really pleased with the lads.

“They have really tried to play the way we have been asking them to play. Getting the ball down on the floor.

“We are taking a few gambles, which we probably won’t take in the league. But we are trying to get a system where we find our feet with the system and where the boys feel comfortable.

“Where we can open up teams and try and play some football. Although we have only scored one goal in two games. We are starting from the back and working our way forward and it will be a gradual process. But we will get there before the big kick off.”

Of the penalty claims, Johnson added: “It doesn’t make any difference.

“It would have been nice to have gone on and won 1-0. But who knows they could have got two afterwards to go on to win 2-1.

“I personally think it was a penalty. The linesman was right on top of it and he thought it was a penalty. But it doesn’t matter it is only pre-season.

“If it was a league game it would be a different matter.”

The Dabbers now visit Crewe FC on Saturday July 19. Entrance is £2 (which includes a programme) and kick off is at 2pm.

Nantwich Town: Phillips, Lycett, White, M.Jones, A.Jones, Bailey, Clayton, Blake, Johnson, Pepper and S.Jones.
Subs: Wilson (on for A.Jones), Meaney (on for Pepper), Harrop (on for Johnson), Clarkson (on for Jones), Green (on for White), Trialist (on for Clayton), Bramall (on for Blake), Callaghan (S.Jones), McLennan (on for Lycett) and Smith (on for Phillips).

Attendance: 237

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