Nantwich Town 4
Nelson 0
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

Teams: NANTWICH TOWN 4 v Nelson 0
Andy Kinsey. 6mins. 65mins
Danny Griggs. 9 mins. Pen.30mins.
NANTWICH: Rob Hackney. Murray McCulloch. Paul Taylor. Richard Smith. Mark Fitton. Paul Donnelly. Adam Beasley. James Marrow. Andy Kinsey. Andy Bott. Danny Griggs. Substitutes: Stuart Scheuber. Matthew Platt. Matt Blake.
Nantwich Head Coach Steve Davis had gone public earlier in the week with a stinging attack on the attitude of some of his players following some very lethargic displays this season.Paul Donnelly returned to the midfield after a one match suspension,he replaced Stuart Scheuber who was relegated to the bench.Meanwhile an attendance of 203 awarded striker Matt Blake a warm reception when he came on as a 70th minute second half substitute for the hard working James Marrow.This was Blake’s first occasion this season in a Nantwich shirt after undergoing major knee surgery in early June.
The home side took a 6th minute lead when Griggs nodded the ball forward into the path of Andy Kinsey, who then worked the ball deep on the right before dispatching a sweet right foot shot across the face of goal into the far corner of the net.Adam Beasley had a great chance to increase that lead moments later following a Griggs free kick from the left that fell to the midfielder in close range but, Beasley’s strike fell wide the target.‘The Dabbers‘ went two up in the 9th minute courtesy of Danny Griggs, who produced a scintillating run down the left,breezing past three markers in the process before dispatching a low drive past ‘keeper Harris from 12 yards into the back of the net.Meanwhile,Nelson midfielder Coonan spelled danger for the home side with a close range header that floated over the bar in the 16th minute but, it was Nantwich by and large who were in command early in the first half.‘The Dabbers‘ continued to set up raids inside the visitors half and in one such move in the 20th minute Nelson conceded a left sided free kick deep inside their half.Kinsey played a short ball into the path of Griggs, who then returned the ball for Kinsey to produce a shot that unfortunately fell straight into goalkeeper Harris’s arms.A further opportunity arrived for the pair shortly afterwards when Griggs worked hard to move the ball 12 yards from goal and then into the path of Kinsey.But,a wild swing at the ball nullified a great opportunity for Kinsey as the ball spun wide of the left side of goal.Moments later Kinsey was again to the fore,producing a 16 yard strike that Harris did well to save.On the half hour continued pressure by Nantwich earned them a penalty.From a right sided corner there was a scramble inside the 12 yard area and, during an attempt to clear the danger,Nelson captain Richardson was alleged to have handled the ball.Rather surprisingly, referee Bristow took no further action but, from the resultant spot kick, Griggs made no mistake to put Nantwich into a 3 – 0 lead.Nine minutes from the break Nelson pushed Nantwich back into their own half during which a left sided 22 yard free kick delivered by Smith spelled danger as it floated above everyone,thankfully evading the unmarked Richardson placed on the right edge of the 6 yard box.At the other end, Griggs tested Harris with a 15 yard strike but,Nelson pulled the game back once more into host territory, winning a left sided corner that was punched clear by Hackney as he bravely rose amongst a clutch of Nelson players closely followed by Gray who pulled the ball back from the left of the bye line to place a square ball toward the near post but, Hackney was commanding and took the ball well to deny the visitors any further opportunity.Nantwich had to endure a little pressure from Nelson early in the second half but, soon took command again,winning a right sided corner in the 53rd minute that flashed across the face of goal,agonizingly narrowly missing the unmarked James Marrow at the far post.Marrow was again unlucky in the 62nd minute when Kinsey’s pass from the left went across the ‘keeper but, evaded Marrow, this time at the opposite post.But,a goal that had been threatening for some time arrived in the 65th minute.It began with a surging right sided run by Paul Donnelly, whose perfect pass to the already on the move Andy Bott, was fed through to Andy Kinsey, before a right footed clinical finish from 15 yards out increased his season goal tally to 15 goals.A short time later Marrow was again prominent in front of goal when a Griggs left sided cross found the head of the Nantwich No.8 but, his close range effort eased past the opposite post.Steve Davis elected to make a double substitution in the 70th minute replacing Bott and Marrow for Blake and Platt.A minute later Beasley made way for Scheuber at a point when a little agitation had crept into the game.With a quarter of an hour of normal time remaining Nelson refused to sit back and danger from Beardshaw was well handled by Nantwich left back Paul Taylor, who calmly halted the substitute striker 14 yards from goal.The game then switched from right to left but, despite being in with goal scoring chances Platt, followed by Griggs, fluffed their attempts.Two minutes from normal time Platt delivered a centre from the right to the well placed Beasley but, the header fell wide of the target.Back came Nelson,and a minute from normal time Donnelly produced a well judged tackle in the 6 yard box to deny Gray who was about to strike.Andy Kinsey then spoiled the best of opportunities to notch a hat trick when, with only the ‘keeper to beat, he chipped the ball over the bar from close range.However,`The Dabbers` kept the pedal firmly to the floor and in stoppage time Blake was unlucky with a glancing header from 8 yards following a great delivery from Paul Taylor.
Nantwich Head Coach Steve Davis assessment of the win. “ I am happy with the result.Following harsh words earlier in the week there was a good atmosphere in Thursday’s training session and the lads have continued a positive attitude through into this game.The scoreline could well been double but, to score four good goals and not concede, is very satisfying.We need to keep this positive attitude going because we have some tough games coming our way for the rest of this month, and also in November”
Nantwich have returned to second position in the NWCL with a plus 8 goal difference over Salford City,and are second highest goal scorers behind runaway division leaders FC United but, with a game in hand. `The Dabbers` face a couple of testing away games this week.On Wednesday they face improving Flixton followed by Curzon Ashton on Saturday when they may have to plan without Danny Griggs who will be on England `Futsal` international duty in Poland early next week.

Match report written by Phil Johnson