Nantwich Town 2
St.Helens Town 2
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

St Helens stunned Nantwich with a 90th minute equaliser after the Dabbers had recovered from going behind on just five minutes.
The Nantwich players will be queuing up outside the confessional box after missing a host of chances which paved the way for the Saints to nick their last minute equaliser. Father Gleghorn will also be preaching a sermon to Melford Knight who, for his sins, was sent off on the final whistle. It was the Nantwich captain’s third dismissal in five games and he will have a considerable period of penance to ponder the ill-discipline which saw him red-carded.
The Saints had taken an early lead when Simon Pay’s clearance was charged down and the ball fell for Lee Smith to stroke into an empty net. Lyndon Hall let fly with a rasping drive and Knight shot over the bar before Nantwich levelled three minutes before half-time. Adam Vickers got on the end of Dave Thomasson’s nod down to slide the ball into the net.
After the interval, the home side created a string of chances. Wes Wilkinson had a powerblaster well held by Ian Robertson, Otis Thomas’ shot was deflected over and Danny Griggs had a half-volley tipped round the post. It was Griggs, though, who put Nantwich ahead on the hour mark when his free-kick deceived everyone and spun into the net off the far post.
Nantwich missed more chances to seal victory with Thomas having a shot blocked, Wilkinson hitting the post, Mark Maguire firing wide from distance, Thomas blazing over after rounding the keeper and Griggs also shooting wide.
The visitors, though, had chances too and Pay was at full stretch to deny Terry Anderson. With the Nantwich congregation baying for the final whistle, Saints sneaked an equaliser when substitute Andy Varns got on the end of a cross to head past Pay. A minute later, should even have given St Helens victory but he was foiled by Pay’s out-stretched leg.
Nantwich Pay, Thomasson, Gardiner (Gleghorn,h-t), Maguire, Hall, Vickers, Lawton, Knight, Thomas, Wilkinson, Griggs. Booked: Maguire (20mins) Sent Off: Knight (90mins)
St Helens Robertson, Gelling (Varns,80), Kelly, Dunne, Alston, McKeown (Melling,h-t), Thompson, McAuley, Smith, Anderson, Fairbrother. Booked: Dunne (59mins).