Nantwich Town 0
Fleetwood Town 3
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

DABBERS CAUGHT OUT

Nantwich Town 0, Fleetwood Town 3
NWCFL Division 1, 27 March 2004

Nantwich looked a shadow of the side that dished out a 3-0 midweek hammering to Newcastle as they slumped to their fourth defeat in their last six home games.
In an end to end game, the Dabbers were sunk by the Fishermen from the Fylde coast who netted a three goal haul thanks to their sharper finishing.
A sluggish home defence was caught out by Frank Cygal’s high ball and ace marksman Lee Catlow nipped in to lob Fleetwood into a tenth minute lead. Ashley Lawton could have pulled the scores level after shrugging off Paul Cook but his shot drifted across the face of the goal. Visiting keeper Andy Banks comfortably dealt with Melford Knight’s header as Nantwich started to dominate play. Then Knight cleverly put Danny Griggs through but Banks again came to the visitors’ rescue, saving well with his legs. Nathan Comley-Excell miscued when well placed whilst Lawton twice shot over the bar after latching on to long balls. At the other end, Tim Alexander cleared off the line when it looked as though Dean Cooper would extend the lead.
Fleetwood came out strongly after the interval and Dale Melling was on hand to deny Cooper with a well-timed tackle but the Fishermen made it 2-0 on 52 minutes. A slick flick by Catlow set Lenny Reid free on the left and his low cross was neatly struck home by Nathan Pond.
Catlow had a gilt-edged chance to make it 3-0 but he headed feebly when well placed. Then on the hour mark Fleetwood sealed victory when Stuart Heeps mistimed a charge out of goal and the marauding Cooper beat the home keeper to the ball and rounded him before striking home.
Melling’s inch-perfect pass put Knight clear but Nantwich were denied a deserved consolation when the midfielder clipped his effort past the post.

Nantwich Heeps, Hall, Gardiner (Caines,h-t), Alexander, Davis (Jardine,61), Hughes (Gleghorn,72), Griggs, Knight, Comley-Excell, Lawton, Melling. Booked: Gardiner (35mins)
Fleetwood Banks, Tong, Cheal, Cook, Cygal, Pond, Beech (Miller,80), McGonnell, Cooper, Catlow, Reid (Duffy,70). Booked: Cooper (20mins), Cheal (32mins).

Match report written by Michael Chatwin