Nantwich Town FA Cup run ended in AFC Fylde defeat

Nantwich Town’s fine FA Cup run was narrowly ended in a tight 1st round clash by AFC Fylde, two leagues above.

The Dabbers performed well in front of packed crowd of more than 1,500 at Weaver Stadium, and were unlucky to lose by a single goal.

The winner from Ryab Croasdale came a minute before the break and had a large stroke fortune to it.

Williams led a counter-attack from a Dabbers free kick and squared it across the edge of the box.

Croasdale latched on to it but scuffed his shot which ballooned up in the air and looped over Hall in the Nantwich net.

It was an even first half with Nantwich pressing and posing a threat through Luke Walsh and Joe Malkin.

Fylde also posed problems for the home defence, with former Dabber Matty Kosylo missing a fine opening on 27 minutes.

Walsh almost levelled a minute after Fylde’s goal, dribbling into the box and firing just wide into the side netting.

After the break, Sean Cooke began to stamp his influence in midfield, and fired a couple of sighters over the bar as the home side pressed for an equaliser.

He went closest on 70 minutes when he broke down the right, but his dangerous cross was well gathered by Lavercombe in the Fylde goal with attackers lurking.

Centre half Ben Harrison had strong claims for a penalty waved away after his powerful run into the nox on 78 minutes ended with him going down.

Then on 81 minutes, perhaps Nantwich’s best chance to level was spurned by Malkin as he had a clear shot in the box but blazed over.

One final effort in injury time almost paid off when Schousboe stretched to get a header on goal, but it was claimed comfortably by Lavercombe in Fylde’s goal.

A fine cup run ended but the Dabbers can be proud of their efforts, taking a National League side all the way.

(Images courtesy of Jonathan White)