Nantwich Town showed true fighting spirit against the odds as they slipped to a first defeat of the new campaign, writes Richard Scott.
The Dabbers, who played with 10 men for three quarters of the game, dominated possession and chances.
But a moment of madness by red-carded Max Harrop (pictured) in the 22nd minute, and resolute defence from the visitors, cost Danny Johnson’s men.
A second half goal from Aiden Kirkbride gave Skelmersdale all three points.
Nantwich could have been in front inside 30 seconds. Harry Clayton spun his marker inside the box and crossed for Harrop, who could not get his header on target.
Moments later Vinnie Mukendi burst from inside his own half to the Skelmersdale box, but his powerful shot was blocked.
Clayton was almost played through, but Martin Fearon was quick out of his goal to smother.
The visitors’ first chance came on eight minutes, when a free-kick was well cleared by Adam Jones.
Mukendi went on another marauding run before eventually being brought down.
From that free-kick Adam Jones headed just wide of the goal.
The Dabbers then came close on 18 minutes. A Harrop corner saw Pepper skew a shot wide of the goal from the edge of the area.
Harrop, running inside the visitor’s box, collided with a defender, but instead of the referee pointing to the spot, he handed a yellow card to the forward.
Still angry with the decision, moments later Harrop was shown a straight red card following an altercation with an opponent.
The hosts did not falter and continued to pile on the pressure. Bailey came close but his header from a corner went inches wide.
The Dabbers continued at the same level in the second half. Man of the match Andy White sent a fizzing cross just inches from Mukendi’s out-stretched boot.
But against the run of play they went behind on 52 minutes.
Kirkbride was played through, and his shot beat Smith, who until then had been a spectator.
Nantwich made a double change giving Steve Lewis his debut and Alex Meaney came on for Vinnie Mukendi.
Falling behind spurred the Dabbers on. Clayton again went through on Fearon’s goal, but the keeper swept up White’s dangerous through-ball.
Captain Mark Jones stopped the Dabbers going 2-0 down when he blocked Mitchley’s shot.
Lewis could have had a debut to remember when White played him in, but his shot from an acute angle ran narrowly across the goal.
The visitors had the ball in the back of the net when Summer beat Smith, but he was offside.
Nantwich threw everyone forward – including centre backs Mat Bailey and Adam Jones – but they could not find an equalizer.
The Dabbers are at home this Saturday against Stafford.
Nantwich Town: Smith, Lycett, White, M. Jones (capt), A.Jones, Bailey, Clayton, Blake, Mukendi, Harrop and Pepper. Sub: Wilson, Johnson, Meaney (on for Mukendi, 55 minutes), Bramall (on for Blake, 79 minutes) and Lewis (on for Pepper, 55 minutes).
(All pictures courtesy of Simon J Newbury Photography)
Recent Comments