Two goals each for Joe Malkin and Callum Saunders helped Nantwich Town through to the FA Cup second qualifying round.
The Dabbers faced a tricky opponent in Tividale FC, based in Dudley in West Midlands.
Dave Cooke’s men looked to be cruising at 4-0 up, but the Midlands League outfit did not lie down and staged a late comeback with two consolation goals.
Nantwich started well and were 1-0 up inside three minutes.
Striker Saunders was felled in the box and he dusted himself off to fire the spot-kick down the middle.
Saunders and Jamie Lawrie both went close to adding a second, foiled by fine saves from the Tividale keeper.
But Malkin deservedly made it 2-0 on the 20 minute mark.
He powered home a fine header from close range from a Saunders cross into the box, giving the keeper no chance.
Saunders had another effort cleared off the line and Malkin blasted over when he should have netted just before the break.
Nantwich continued to dominate in the second period, and were 3-0 just four minutes after half-time.
A fine run from Mike Koral saw his deep cross knocked back by Saunders for Malkin to tap in for his second.
The Dabbers controlled possession and on 64 minutes the game was done and dusted with Saunders adding a fourth.
He headed powerfully home from a Sean Cooke corner to make it 4-0.
To Tividale’s credit, they battled hard and they pulled one back on 67 minutes with a flicked header from a corner which beat Greg Hall in the Dabbers goal.
And they grabbed a second consolation in the 80th minute with another header which flashed past Hall.
Nugent had a chance for a Tividale third on 89 minutes but blasted over from a good position, to calm the Nantwich nerves.
The Dabbers return to Northern Premier League action this Saturday when they welcome Stalybridge Celtic to the Weaver Stadium.
(Stock pic of Joe Malkin, courtesy of Jonathan White)
Recent Comments