Nantwich Town 5
Trafford 1
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

FIVE STAR NANTWICH SHOW

Nantwich Town 5, Trafford 1
NWCFL Division 1, 8 November 2003

A superb solo goal by Adam Vickers capped a five-star Nantwich show in a game the Dabbers dominated from start to end.
With former Crewe Alex centre-half Steve Davis making his Nantwich debut, Trafford were restricted to two chances on goal whilst the home side could have notched up double figures.
Each of Nantwich’s formidable front men – Jamie Phoenix, Vernum Rowland and Wes Wilkinson – had early chances before the Dabbers went ahead on 18 minutes. The trio combined well when the lively Phoenix played in Wilkinson whose low cross was netted by Rowland. The Manchester outfit, though, got a surprise equaliser on the half-hour, Mike Turner being well-placed to head home Mark Drew’s free-kick with Stuart Heeps stranded.
Wilkinson shot over after good work by Phoenix and then put Nantwich 2-1 up when his typical trickery took him past two defenders and he rifled home. Within a minute, Nigel Gleghorn had extended the lead. The Nantwich player-boss leapt to meet Phoenix’s deep cross with a bullet header that gave Trafford keeper Nick Ward no chance.
Just after the hour mark, Vickers made it 4-1 with a contender for goal of the season. Running from the half-way line past three defenders, he curled his shot into the corner of the net past the outstretched Ward. Nantwich went nap on 67 minutes when Rowland stole the ball off Chris Houghton, rounded Ward and slotted into the net from a tight angle.
Trafford’s sorry afternoon was wrapped up when Turner cannoned a strike onto the post and then Chris McDonagh was red-carded for a lunging tackle on Lyndon Hall which saw the Nantwich captain carried off.
There was still time for Wilkinson’s acrobatic overhead to bounce back off the post - but the rampant Dabbers had to settle for just five !
Nantwich Heeps, Vickers, Gardiner, Hall, Davis (Dawson,70), Buckle, Griggs, Gleghorn, Rowland (Lawton,75), Wilkinson, Phoenix (Melling,h-t). Booked: Phoenix (40mins)
Trafford Ward, Robinson, Drew, Claffey, Houghton, McDonagh, Tench, Ogden, Turner, Ashmole (Warmington,80), Taylor (Hines,63). Booked: McDonagh (55mins). Sent Off: McDonagh (80mins)

Match report written by Michael Chatwin