Buxton 0
Nantwich Town 2
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Friday 26th December.2008.


Buxton 0 vs NANTWICH TOWN 2
Dave Walker.12
Lennon.78

Nantwich: Jones. Beeston. Kiss. Smith. Tinson. Carter. Westwood. Parkinson. Gibson (Griggs 80). Lennon (Jack 89). Walker. Substitutes: Griggs. Southern. Jack. Jarrett. Francis.


MATCH REPORT

Nantwich welcomed the return of Mark Beeston (groin) and Ashley Westwood (infection) but Dave Tickle was ruled out after failing to recover from a leg injury sustained against Eastwood Town whilst in Friday’s warm up at ‘The Silverlands’ Nantwich lost Dave Whittaker to a hamstring injury before recalling youth team striker Nathan Southern who was en route back to South Cheshire after initially failing to earn a place in the squad. Meanwhile, Gyorgy Kiss took the place of Tickle at left back in what was the Hungarian’s first start for Nantwich this season.

In sunny, but bitterly cold conditions – and on a very heavy pitch, exchanges were even until the 12th minute when Nantwich took the lead. Ahead of the goal, on loan Crewe Alexandra defender Ashley Westwood – playing in a midfield role for the second time since arrival at The Weaver Stadium, won the ball in midfield before linking with Ashley Carter – Carter in turn bringing Dave Walker into play who timed his move well before poking the ball past the Buxton ‘keeper Scot Hartley from inside the 6 yard box. Buxton reaction was to push Nantwich on the defensive but despite their inertia failed to open up their visitors. In between, Nantwich created a couple of good opportunities – the first when Walker pulled the ball back from the bye line into the path of Lennon but whose effort from close range was denied followed by an interchange between Walker and Westwood with Walker placing a shot that the Buxton ‘keeper parried into the path of Westwood whose follow up shot was then palmed away. Meanwhile, Robin Gibson seized an opportunity to shoot from long range but the effort drifted wide of the target. Pitch conditions worsened but at the break Nantwich still held their slender lead.

On resumption, it was Nantwich who were defending the slope but of the two sides ‘The Dabbers’ were playing the better football and in the 52nd minute were a shade unfortunate not to increase their lead when a Walker goal was ruled out after Michael Lennon was adjudged to have pulled the initial ball back to Walker from an offside position whilst in a further effort Nantwich captain Phil Parkinson hit a 20 yard screamer that skimmed the Buxton cross bar. Meanwhile, Buxton continued to plug away and in one spell had an effort cleared off the line whilst a looping effort from Mark Reed arched over ‘Dabbers’ goal keeper Lee Jones but fell wide of the target. However, Buxton continued to find Nantwich in determined mood, restricting their hosts to few chances throughout the game. Walker and Lennon continued to provide a threat up front and in the final quarter hour Lennon was unlucky to poke a close range shot inches wide of a post before scoring in the 78th minute after Walker provided the initial spade work for Lennon to beat Hartley from close range.

The win completes ‘The Dabbers’ first double of the season having defeated Buxton 3 – 2 at The Weaver Stadium in mid November and lifts Nantwich to 8th ahead of their opening game of 2009 when they play Cammell Laird at The Weaver Stadium on New Years Day..

In a post match analysis head coach Steve Davis said: - “An excellent victory played in extremely difficult conditions. Despite having to make changes we were by far the better side – played some good football and apart from a couple of opportunities we restricted Buxton to very little. It’s a great feeling to end the year on a high note and the lads are looking forward to starting the new one in similar vein”.

Match report written by Phil Johnson