Fleetwood Town 3
Nantwich Town 2
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

When Nantwich player-boss Nigel Gleghorn unleashed an immaculate 25 yard volley, little did he know that when it nestled in the back of the net, it chalked up the Dabbers 1250th goal in North West Counties League football. The former Stoke City midfielder may hope that the Dabbers will not need to reach too many more milestones at this level but the club’s quest for UniBond football will certainly have to wait for at least one more year.
Fleetwood’s immediate future is far less certain. The three points netted by the Fishermen in this cut-and-thrust encounter means they will claim at least fourth spot in the final reckonings. Whether they are allowed to make the step up, though, will be a decision for ground graders and committees in smoke filled rooms.
In truth, there was little to choose between the two sides. Fleetwood were more muscular in approach and, at the end of the day, their more direct play paid dividends. They gained an early lead when top marksman Lee Catlow prodded home from close range on five minutes. The lead, though, lasted only two minutes before Gleghorn gave his masterclass in technique. Positioned just outside the penalty area, he weighed up the ball as it fell from a distant height, crisply volleying it goalbound with pinpoint accuracy and missile pace. Home keeper Andy Banks flew at it but was only able to touch it onto the underside of the bar. Nantwich’s previous 1249 efforts in this competition surely no match for it.
With end to end play, more goals looked likely and, on the half hour, Catlow nabbed his second, stealing in behind Tim Alexander and crashing a half-volley beyond the advancing Stuart Heeps.
The Dabbers pulled level again ten minutes later. Ashley Lawton seemed to pose little threat just inside the penalty area but was bundled off the ball by bulky Fleetwood centre half Adam Tong. The referee generously pointed to the spot and Mark Gardiner converted in clinical fashion to make it 2-2.
Perhaps the ref thought he needed to make amends and, on the stroke of half time, Heeps seemed to be impeded as he leapt to clutch one of Tong’s dangerous long throws. Unable to make contact, the ball fell into the path of Gary McGonnell who had the simple task of restoring the home lead – despite Nantwich’s protestations to the man in black.
After the break, chances were at a premium – Danny Griggs curling a quick free kick over Banks’ crossbar and, at the other end, Heeps diving to comfortably save Catlow’s curling free kick. The Dabbers lacked the cutting edge to notch a third equaliser but, after some enterprising approach play, Griggs teed up Melford Knight in stoppage time. But with Banks dragged out of position, Knight was unable to keep his balance, and slipped the ball wide of the post from 6 yards, condemning Nantwich to a long trip home empty-handed.
Fleetwood Banks, Delaney, Kirkham, Shepherd, Tong, Pond, Beech (Cheal,84), McGonnell, Miller, Catlow, Duffy (Reid,60). Booked: Tong (40mins)
Nantwich Heeps, Hall (Pullar,83), Gardiner, Davis, Alexander, Hughes, Griggs, Knight, Caines, Lawton (Redfern,73), Gleghorn. Booked: Knight (70mins)

PHOTO:
ALL AT SEA: Nantwich keeper Stuart Heeps misses the ball and the Fishermen net the winner

Match report written by Michael Chatwin