Alsager Town 1
Nantwich Town 2
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

Nantwich overcame a battling Alsager side to pick up three points to keep them within striking distance of the leaders in the North West Counties League.
Like most derby games, this was not a football match for the purists to savour. On a drab and dismal day, the match never really ignited and, but for a late rally from the home side, Nantwich always looked the superior outfit.
The Dabbers could have taken the lead on 10 minutes but Gareth Brookes failed to capitalise on a super through ball from Dale Melling and his shot was blocked by Rob Powner in the home goal. Both sides were then restricted to long range efforts with both keepers tipping speculative efforts over the bar. The visitors, though, gradually exerted their influence and after twice shooting wide in quick succession, Wes Wilkinson grabbed his eleventh goal of the campaign. Bringing down a cross by Mark Gardiner in the 36th minute, the diminutive striker swivelled and shot on the turn to put Nantwich in the lead. Gareth Rowe had a chance to equalise just before the break but his header was well saved by Stuart Heeps.
In the second period, Melling, Melford Knight and Gardiner all had chances to increase Nantwich’s lead but then Lyndon Hall was called upon to head a Paul James drive off the visitors’ goalline. Mark Timms fired over and Andy Kinsey failed to connect at close range as Alsager pressed for the equaliser but with three minutes remaining, Knight settled the contest when he headed home a floated cross from Hall.
Alsager scored a deserved consolation with virtually the last kick off the match when Dave Eaton struck a 25 yarder which left Heeps stranded in the Nantwich goal. It was too little, too late for Alsager who suffered their sixth league defeat on the trot.
Alsager Powner, James, Gregory, Timms, Parry, Machin, Grocott (Kinsey, 62), Eaton, Redgate, Rowe (Brotherton, 70), Drummond.
Booked: Redgate (9 mins)
Nantwich Heeps, Hall, Melling, Packham, McVey, Buckle (Vickers, 88), Brookes, Knight, Dawson, Wilkinson (Hampshire, 73), Gleghorn (Gardiner, 29).
Booked: Gardiner (85mins)
Star Man Dale Melling – Determined display and impressive vision
Attendance: 101

Match report written by Michael Chatwin