Nantwich Town 4
Holbeach United 0
FA Cup (Preliminary Round)

Match Report

After the slip-up against Prescot, the Dabbers returned to winning ways with a comfortable Cup victory over their Lincolnshire opponents. It was another impressive performance from Nigel Gleghorn’s young side who effectively had the game sewn up by half time.
Indeed, it took only 7 minutes for the home sides to ease ahead when Gleghorn himself netted from a Simon Hackney cross. Melford Knight then blazed over after being set up by the tricky Hackney before Wes Wilkinson increased the lead on 35 minutes. Determined work by Gleghorn led to neat interplay between Gareth Brookes and Knight, setting up Wilkinson who shot home from 15 yards.
The Nantwich player-boss was looking inspirational in midfield and, in the space of a couple minutes fired a free kick wide of the Holbeach post and then, after winning a second free kick himself, rattled the visitors’ bar.
The Dabbers did make it 3-0 a minute before the interval. Hard tackling by Brookes won the ball in a dangerous area and he was able to feed it through to Wilkinson who claimed his second.
On the stroke of half time, Lee Hudson spurned a golden opportunity to put the visitors back in the match but he ballooned over from close range after being set up by Danny Hussey.
As in the Dabbers’ previous home game, the visitors were reduced to 10 men; Hussey being red-carded ten minutes into the second half for retaliating after a robust challenge from Knight. And, as was the case against Prescot, Nantwich failed to press home the advantage.
Second half substitute Ashley O’Leary failed to convert two chances in quick succession and, with the game fizzling out Mickey Nuttell missed out on a Holbeach consolation when he was unable to direct his fierce header.
Nantwich’s patience finally paid off seven minutes from time when Hackney claimed his fourth goal of the season. Beating the offside trap, the Nantwich winger slotted the ball past the advancing Kevin Cross to seal a 4-0 victory.
Nantwich: Heeps, Hall, Melling, Packham, McVey (O’Leary, h-t), Gleghorn, Thomasson O’Leary, Wilkinson (Dawson, 65), Brookes (Hough, 83), Hackney.
Booked: Hackney (74mins)
Holbeach: Cross, Heaton, Green, Elston, Keeble, Hussey, Appleby, S Barnes (Nuttell h-t), Keeble (Eady, 73), Hudson (P Barnes, 78), Taylor.
Sent Off: Hussey (53mins) Booked: Taylor (72mins)
Star Man: Martin Packham – Cultured and assured at the heart of the defence
Attendance: 70

Match report written by Michael Chatwin