Winsford United 0
Nantwich Town 4
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

Nantwich condemned their Cheshire neighbours to relegation with a clinical second half performance at the Barton Stadium.
After a first half stalemate dominated by a swirling wind, the Dabbers ran riot in the second period and could have won by a bigger margin. With the elements easing after the break, the avalanche began on 55 minutes with neat move crafted by Melford Knight. His cushioned header found Wes Wilkinson in the danger area and a clever chip to the back post set up Gareth Brookes to nod home from close range. Nantwich nearly doubled the lead on the hour mark when a clearance from Andy Robertson cannoned off Simon Hackney and only inches wide of the upright.
Ten minutes later it was 2-0. Martin Packham drifted a cross into the area and Knight rose in front of Robertson to head into an empty net.
Three minutes after entering the fray, Ashley Lawton sealed victory as home heads dropped. The promising teenager ran on to a long ball and clipped it over the advancing Robertson for his ninth goal of the campaign.
Vernum Rowland became the first Nantwich player to see red this season when he was dismissed for violent conduct ten minutes from time. Ten man Nantwich, though, still had time to forge more chances. Knight had a shot charged down and Adam Vickers dawdled when he should have burst the net from six yards. But when Wilkinson was brought down on the edge of the area, Hackney curled a free kick round the wall and beyond Robertson’s despairing dive.
The Winsford keeper prevented Nantwich going nap when he leapt to deny Lawton in added time but the 4-0 victory was Nantwich’s fourth win on the trot – without conceding a goal in the process – and guarantees them sixth spot in the final table; their highest placing since 1994.
Winsford Robertson, Dewar, Duckworth, Wilson, Cooley, Walker, Thomas, Carthy, Gayle, Hayder, Cavanagh (Osbourne 60). Booked: Duckworth (82mins)
Nantwich Pay, McVey (Travis,79), Gardiner (Vickers,74), Hall, Packham, Melling, Brookes (Lawton,70), Knight, Rowland, Wilkinson, Hackney. Sent Off: Rowland (82mins)
Star Man Simon Hackney – Terrorised the home defence with his pace.
Attendance: 137

Match report written by Michael Chatwin