Shepshed Dynamo 0
Nantwich Town 3
League (NPL Division 1 South)

Match Report

UniBond League First Division South

Saturday 19th April.2008

Shepshed Dynamo 0 v NANTWICH TOWN 3
Darren Norwood o/g 47.
Adam Beasley.72.
Andy Kinsey.90.

Shepshed Dynamo: Gary Hateley ©. James Whitehead. Dan Fletcher. Darren Norwood. Matt Millns. Tim Wilkes (Stahlberger 79). Rhys Powell (Clarke.72). Sam Saunders. Lheareux Menga (Williams.83). Phillip Massingham. Ben Cobley. Substitutes: Jamie Clarke. Dave Williams. Michael Stahlberger.

NANTWICH TOWN: Lee Jones. Adam Beasley. Gyorgy Kiss. Richard Smith. Ryan Dicker. Nick Linford (Clements.83). Ashley Carter © (Mamood.84). Glyn Blackhurst. Andy Kinsey. Pavol Suhaj (Walker.72). Danny Griggs. Substitutes: Dave Walker. Chris Clements. Omar Mahmoud.

Referee: Mr David Sullivan. Attendance: 171.

A spirited second half performance saw Nantwich overcome several difficulties to claim maximum points at The Dovecote and book themselves a play-off place in the bargain. But, it was an unfamiliar Nantwich line-up that eventually completed the task. Ahead of the match suspensions ruled out defenders Paul Donnelly and Paul Taylor, Phil Parkinson failed a fitness test whilst defender Mark Fitton declared himself unavailable leaving Steve Davis with a bare bones squad for this crucial game. However, despite nursing injuries that ruled them out of the midweek defeat at Stockbridge winger Danny Griggs and midfielder Glyn Blackhurst declared themselves fit enough to start.

Playing with a very strong cold easterly wind blowing throughout the whole of the match it was the home side who adapted best in what can only be described as a very dull first half. Meanwhile Nantwich, playing in a 3 – 5 – 2 formation, looked ill at ease with Glyn Blackhurst’s 22nd minute glancing header from just outside the 6 yard box the only chance for Nantwich of note in the first period.

On 15 minutes Shepshed midfielder Rhys Powell tried an angled shot from deep that failed to hit the target whilst moments later Nick Linford’s hesitation in clearing from inside the box allowed Shepshed’s Sam Saunders a chance to fire at goal, albeit with a wild shot that cleared the catch netting. Powell carved out a second opening around the 20th minute but again, poor finishing by the Shepshed player left Lee Jones unchallenged. However, seven minutes later the home side carved out a good opening following a Dan Fletcher free kick from just outside the box that sailed over a crowded box to Jones at the far post. However, despite collecting the ball Jones was subjected to a strong bodily challenge before losing grip of the ball leaving Shepshed striker Phil Massingham to put in a close range snap shot that, fortunately for the visitors skied over the bar.

But, whatever views were aired in ‘The Dabbers’ dressing room at the break, it had the desired effect and within a minute of the restart, took the lead, albeit through an own goal. From a well struck Danny Griggs free kick the ball created flutters in defence before the ball went out for a corner. Griggs floated in a neat ball that Suhaj then touched on for Kinsey at the far post and in the panic, two home defenders craned their necks for the ball leaving centre half Darren Norwood to deny Kinsey whilst at the same time, heading into the roof of his own net.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Powell headed into the arms of Jones from close range before Nantwich returned to attack that saw Ashley Carter go close with a glancing header from a Glyn Blackhurst throw-in, Andy Kinsey was then unfortunate to see his 66th minute drive from outside the box deflected off the line, followed by three consecutive Nantwich corners that Shepshed were fortunate to deal with as pressure began to build in their half.

As the game opened up further Nantwich pressure told when they increased their lead through Adam Beasley in the 72nd minute. Moments earlier, Beasley had twice been denied by home ‘keeper Danny Haystead but on this occasion, Beasley got the better of him with a neat finish from 12 yards. Dave Walker replaced Pavol Suhaj in the 73rd minute and then captain for the day, Ashley Carter, went close with an angled shot from deep in the 75th minute before Kinsey tested Haystead with similar moments later. Shepshed used all three substitutes in an effort to claw back the deficit but, it was to no avail. Youngsters Chris Clements and Omar Mahmoud came on for Nick Linford and Ashley Carter late in the game before Andy Kinsey put the game beyond doubt right on the stroke of normal time with a neat finish from inside the box after being set up by Walker.

A much relieved Steve Davis quoted after the game: “We were so flat in the first half, that it is best forgotten. We asked them at the break, what are you going to do about it? Well, the answer lies in the result and with our initial target now achieved we must strive to win our remaining two league games in order to secure home advantage in the play-off”.

Match report written by Phil Johnson