Nantwich Town continued their preparation for the new 2018/19 campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over Winsford United, writes Steve Sharman.
Striker Joe Malkin continued his fine scoring form in pre-season with a goal in each half, with Jamie Morgan and trialist Harry Cain also finding the net at the Barton Stadium.
Manager Dave Cooke named a strong starting line up with Danny Glover returning from holiday and Joel Stair captaining the side with Caspar Hughes rested.
Winsford, who play in the North West Counties Premier Division, started brightly but the Dabbers defence saw out any possible danger as James Hawkins had to be alert as he rushed out his goal to clear a dangerous looking through ball.
Up the other end James Lawrie had the first effort on goal as he fired narrowly over the crossbar following neat build up play from Glover and Malkin.
A minute later Stair was denied twice by Winsford keeper Mike Langley, first turning a low shot behind the post before superbly palming the defender’s header over the bar from the resulting corner.
Good pressure from the Dabbers in the final third then saw the visitors win the ball back in a dangerous area, but Malkin shot straight at Langley after Glover had pulled the ball back to his strike partner.
The opening goal didn’t take long to come though as Malkin nodded into an empty net after Langley could only parry Nathan Cotterell’s powerful effort straight up in the air.
Four minutes later and the Dabbers were two goals up as Morgan arrived on cue to fire in from six yards after Jordan Davies’ low shot had fallen kindly into the full-back’s path.
The Dabbers were playing some neat football and perhaps could have had a penalty in the 35th minute as Glover was shoved to the ground, but referee Marcus Hawkins waved away appeals for a spot kick.
Winsford were then denied a goal back by a fine low save from Hawkins in the Dabbers goal, as the young stopper palmed away Troy Bourne’s sliced clearance via the woodwork.
The second period began with plenty of changes for Cooke’s side as Cain, Niall Cope, Adam Freelands and a number of trialists all came on, with Glover taking the captain’s armband.
Glover nearly added a third for his side just two minutes in as he headed inches over the bar following a fine left wing cross from a trialist.
The third goal did come though in the 55th minute as fine work on the right hand side from Cain saw the ball find Malkin who made no mistake firing in his second of the game.
Malkin then looked to return the favour as his low ball across the box nearly found Cain, who was inches away from converting.
Despite being three down, the hosts still continued to look for a goal, and Mike Koral went close to doing so as he shot into the side netting from an acute angle.
One of the trialists for the Dabbers could have added a fourth 20 minutes from time as he raced clear on goal, but was denied by the legs of the Winsford substitute keeper.
Chances were coming thick and fast for Cooke’s men, as Glover was this timed denied by the crossbar with a curling effort after Cain had pulled the ball back from the byline.
Dabbers substitute Sam Croft, who had earlier come on for Malkin, was causing the home defence issues with his pace and he was also denied by the Winsford keeper, after the young striker had raced clear on goal.
But a minute later the Dabbers had a fourth as Cain curled an excellent effort into the far corner from the edge of the box to cap off an excellent display.
Nantwich are in action this Saturday at Radcliffe FC to play their penultimate game of pre-season (3pm KO).
Nantwich Town: James Hawkins (Matt Ellson 46′), Jamie Morgan (Niall Cope 46′), Charlie Edge (Trialist 46′), Joel Stair (c) (Trialist 46′), Troy Bourne (Adam Freelands 46′), Declan O’Riordan (Ryan Reid 46′), Jordan Davies (Harry Cain 46′), James Lawrie (Trialist 46′), Danny Glover, Joe Malkin (Sam Croft 63′), Nathan Cotterell (Trialist 46′)
(pics courtesy of Jonathan White)
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