Bradford (Park Avenue) 0
Nantwich Town 0
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Saturday 28th March.2009


BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 0 v NANTWICH TOWN 0

Nantwich: Jones. Smith. Tickle. Tinson. O’Loughlin. Parkinson© Gibson. Macpherson. Whittaker. Lennon. Griggs Substitutes: Hawthorne. Jack. Kinsey. Beeston. Blackhurst

Referee: Mr C.Grundy Attendance: 520

Nantwich were without Ashley Carter (suspension) and Dave Walker (sore hamstring) but were boosted by the return of Mark Beeston from a recent arm injury.

‘The Dabbers’ came away from the Horsfall Stadium considerably aggrieved after having a perfect Michael Lennon goal ruled out in the 61st minute. In a crowded 6 yard box Lennon’s persistence allowed him to find just enough space to beat the excellent Bradford goal keeper Jon Worsnop and drive a powerful shot into the roof of the net. Despite clearly bulging the roof of the net before coming back out neither referee nor assistant would accept the ball had crossed the line. Meanwhile, Lennon peeled away to celebrate his goal whilst at the same time Bradford heads dropped at having conceded. Tellingly, Bradford officials also accepted the ball had gone into the roof of the net with the exception of Bradford manager Lee Sinnott who remained sheepish on the subject. But if that was not all Nantwich were then dealt a further blow when Lennon was hauled down in the area by a defender when clean through on goal but despite appeals referee Grundy would not yield.

The home side were first to show but it was Bradford ‘man of the match’ goal keeper Jon Worsnop who prevented Nantwich from taking an early lead when his razor like reaction turned a powerful Dave Whittaker shot around his right hand post at the expense of a corner. Nantwich had to be alert in defence throughout the first half particularly to the runs of Downs, Stamer and James but overall ‘The Dabbers’ were the better side.

Within a minute of the second half getting underway Robin Gibson looked to be in with a great opportunity 10 yards from goal but just as he went to shoot he lost his footing. Meanwhile, Bradford were looking lively without looking a serious threat. For Nantwich, Dave Macpherson went close with a shot that floated close to the angle of post and bar whilst at the other end ‘Dabbers’ goal keeper Lee Jones did well to tip away a blistering strike from Stamer. Worsnop then denied both Gibson and Lennon whilst from a Dave Tickle corner Lennon went close with a shot from an angle that fizzed inches over the angle of post and bar. Late on in the match substitute Andy Kinsey planted a close range downward header from a Rodney Jack ball on target only to be denied by the brilliance of Worsnop whilst in a further move Kinsey twisted and turned in the box before firing toward the opposite side of goal-the ball missing the target by inches with Worsnop beaten. Danny Griggs then tested Worsnop with a close range shot that the Bradford ‘keeper managed to hold at the foot of his left hand post whilst 8 minutes from normal time Nantwich custodian Lee Jones produced a top draw save to deny Bradford substitute Luke Gibson.

An aggrieved and disappointed Nantwich head coach Steve Davis responded by saying: “ We were the better side for 80% of the time but have been denied all three points by the incompetence, particularly of an assistant referee who wasn’t up with play at the time ‘Lenny’ scored. It was a perfectly good goal and even the body language of their (Bradford) players displayed disappointment at having conceded. They couldn’t believe their luck but to make matters worse we are then denied a clear cut penalty. Although there weren’t a great deal of chances in the game what there were you have to give credit to both ‘keepers for pulling off some excellent saves but it tells you how grateful Bradford were to (Worsnop) after they voted him their ‘man of the match.’ “

Nantwich retain 3rd place in the UniBond Premier Division ahead of Tuesday night’s visit to Witton Albion.

Match report written by Phil Johnson