Atherton LR 0
Nantwich Town 2
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

Date: Saturday 3rd March.2007.

Atherton LR 0 v NANTWICH TOWN 2
Andy Kinsey (20) Murray McCulloch (40)

NANTWICH TOWN: Rob Hackney. Mark Fitton. Paul Taylor. Richard Smith. Paul Donnelly. Phil Parkinson©. Murray McCulloch. Stuart Scheuber. Andy Kinsey. Gyorgy Kiss. Danny Griggs. Substitutes: Adam Beasley. James Marrow. Danny Smith.

Head Coach Steve Davis was forced to change the line up that so admirably drew with FC United last weekend after striker Andy Bott was ruled out with a foot injury. Andy Kinsey became the lone striker supported on the flanks by Gyorgy Kiss and Danny Griggs, meanwhile striker James Marrow was recalled into the squad from his recent loan spell with Knypersley Victoria and took his place on the bench.

Pitch conditions were extremely poor at Crilly Park with deep ruts covering the whole of a very heavy surface. Nantwich held the majority of possession during the opening quarter hour but, were discovering ball control at a premium. ‘The Dabbers’ however proceeded to plug away and were rewarded with their opening goal in the 20th minute. From a move just inside their own half over on the left involving Taylor,Parkinson and Scheuber the ball was threaded to Gyorgy Kiss who weaved his way past three defenders before laying into the path of Andy Kinsey who struck a first time volley into the back of the net from 16 yards. But,within a minute of the goal, the Nantwich injury hoodoo struck yet again when defender Paul Donnelly was forced to leave the pitch having pulled up with a damaged hamstring. In a rearranged back line Mark Fitton moved into a central role whilst substitute Danny Smith took over from Fitton in the right back berth. Approaching the half hour Atherton gradually acquired more of the possession but it was thanks’ to the heroics of ‘Dabbers’ goalkeeper Rob Hackney that his side held that single goal lead when a close range strike from midfielder Derefarka was diverted for a corner by Hackney’s right foot whilst diving across his 6 yard line. Nantwich retook control as the game headed toward the break and for several periods camped in the opposition half but, a combination of wayward Nantwich finishing and not a little luck on behalf of Atherton kept the scoreline unchanged, that was however, until the 40th minute when,in a similar move that led to the opening goal, Nantwich left back Paul Taylor advanced to a position deep on the right before striking the crossbar with a fierce angled shot that rebounded into the path of Murray McCulloch who drove the ball venomously into the back of the net from 12 yards for the second goal. On approaching the hour mark the game became more notable for the physical challenges that were taking place rather than the football and on several occasions players from both sides required attention from their respective trainers.The playing surface,if not already difficult at the start, gradually worsened to the point where football of any quality became almost farcical, not helped by officialdom that at times bordered on the same. For Nantwich, Gyorgy Kiss made way for James Marrow in the 65th minute and was immediately involved in action when he latched on to a cross field ball before being ruled offside. Tension began to surface during Atherton’s attempts at reducing the deficit but, Nantwich captain Phil Parkinson continually urged his troops to retain focus and avoid being sucked into physical confrontation which could have affected ‘The Dabbers’ effort to stretch their undefeated run to eight games. Andy Kinsey was presented with a golden opportunity to score from inside the 6 yard box in 70th minute but, his strike from an excellent square delivery from deep on the right by Phil Parkinson was deflected away from the net by the legs of a defender. Kinsey was again unlucky when a Richard Smith free kick fell neatly at his feet but, just as he was about to shoot, an Atherton defender nipped in to hook the ball away. Adam Beasley replaced the battling Stuart Scheuber in the 75th minute then, five minutes later, Nantwich were spared their blushes when Atherton substitute striker Givin produced an awful finish to a close range shot after Nantwich momentarily slumbered. Urged on by Parkinson ‘The Dabbers’ entered a purple patch five minutes from normal time and were unlucky not to increase their lead when first, a James Marrow 10 yard pile driver was blocked by the prostrate Stuart Norman in the Atherton goal followed by an Andy Kinsey free kick delivered from just outside the right side of the area, the dead ball arcing over the wall into the path of the unmarked Danny Griggs whose volley just failed to stay low enough to creep under the bar. The win moves Nantwich on to 70 points and within two points of 2nd placed Salford City with a game in hand. On Tuesday evening they meet the improving St Helens Town in a league game at Jackson Avenue which will have a historical value to it as the match represents the last midweek league game to be played at the ground before the move to Kingsley Fields.

Nantwich head coach Steve Davis was naturally delighted to secure the win but, commented: “ The pitch was a disgrace, followed not far behind by sub standard officialdom. An example of this was in the second half when Danny Smith was in possession of the ball during a midfield move with their captain Rob Hope right arm wrapped around Danny’s neck and when the pair of them came to a halt the referee in his wisdom awarded a free kick to Atherton! There were a couple of moments when we nodded off but, poor finishing by their strikers failed to trouble Rob. However, the lads worked very hard and thoroughly deserved the victory. I was correct in my pre match assessment. Sides that are fighting to stay in the division will give you nothing and only hard graft produces a result”

Match report written by Phil Johnson