Nantwich Town 2
Bacup Borough 0
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

PHOENIX HELPS DABBERS RISE FROM ASHES

Nantwich Town 2, Bacup Borough 0
NWCFL Division 1, 4 November 2003

Having been burnt out by Second Division Great Harwood on Saturday, Nantwich rose from the ashes thanks to new boy Jamie Phoenix. The Dabbers claimed their first double of the season with this comfortable victory over Bacup.
Youngster Phoenix, who has been on the books of Bolton Wanderers, used his lightning pace to devastating effect. Last season it was Simon Hackney who darted down the Nantwich left wing but, compared with the livewire Phoenix, the departed Hackney trundles at a mere snail’s pace.
There was only 10 minutes on the clock when the debutant picked up the ball and danced past two defenders before unleashing a low drive which Paul Horridge did well to turn away. The Bacup custodian was again called upon to deny Phoenix before Nantwich took the lead on 22 minutes.
Phoenix was again involved, rushing through from deep and playing in Wes Wilkinson whose emphatic shot on the turn left Horridge grounded. Before the break, Horridge was again called into action to scoop up a volley from Nigel Gleghorn and then, when beaten by Dale Melling’s bullet header, was relieved to see Duncan Edwards on hand to clear off the goalline.
Edwards was but one of a string of famous names in the Bacup line-up and, alongside Charlton and Giggs made up a trio of formidable-sounding Man United midfielders. And, with sub Martin Peters appearing on the hour mark, the Dabbers may well have been expecting Geoff Hurst or George Best to be next off the Borough bench.
The Lancastrians would have benefited from such international largesse as they failed to trouble the home defence in a dull second period. Their cause wasn’t aided when Steven Stott was given his marching orders for a crunching foul on Vernum Rowland.
Short of match fitness, Phoenix faded somewhat and it was Wilkinson who threatened a second. His powerful snap shot was just off target and then he weaved past Edwards and Paul Davies but his shot drifted wide of the mark.
And, with Bacup pushing forward in search of an equaliser, it was Nantwich’s leading marksman who sealed victory on 89 minutes. Karl Stanley hacked down Danny Griggs in the box allowing Wilkinson to step up and despatch his spot kick to Horridge’s left.
Nantwich Heeps, Vickers, Gardiner (Parkinson,89), Gleghorn ,Hall ,Buckle, Griggs, Melling, Rowland (Dawson,67), Wilkinson, Phoenix (Lawton,80).
Bacup Horridge, Edwards (Anthony,85), Telfer (Peters,60), Charlton, Davies, Rawstron (Stanley,h-t), Kershaw, Giggs, Gray, Stott, Emmett. Booked: Davies (45mins), Stanley (89mins) Sent Off: Stott (72mins).

Match report written by Michael Chatwin