Worksop Town 0
Nantwich Town 0
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Wednesday 19 August 2009 – UniBond League Premier Division
WORKSOP TOWN 0 NANTWICH TOWN 0

They say that decisions even themselves out over the course of a season – but you try telling that to Ash Carter. The Dabber wide man stole in front of his marker to head home Rodney Jack’s by-line cross in the second minute of added time only to see his ‘goal’ chalked off for offside.

The screaming travelling fans behind the Worksop goal were left bemused and distraught by the decision. Even the home Chairman and assistant manager admitted it was a perfectly good goal. Sadly for Nantwich, though, the referee didn’t overrule his flag waving assistant and the Dabbers returned from the Tigers’ temporary home at Ilkeston Town with just a single point.

On their first half showing Nantwich would have been happy with a share of the spoils. It was a dismal, disjointed display in the first period and Worksop themselves berated the referee for not brandishing a red card at keeper Lee Jones after he brought down on-rushing dangerman Danny Bacon outside the box. A yellow card and a free kick drilled harmlessly into the wall by Alex Callery was all that followed.

Five minutes later Danny Anson clipped Jones’ post as the Tigers started to tear into their opponents. Sparkling last ditch tackles from Chris Shaw and Jake Sedgemore saved the Dabbers whose square defence was being caught on the hop with the long ball over the top. Jon Kennedy palmed away Carter’s curling 20 yarder but otherwise the visitors posed little threat up to the break.

In the second half Nantwich looked a different outfit, taking the game to their hosts and carving out a succession of chances that should have seen maximum points winging their way back to South Cheshire. A Dave MacPherson thunderbolt was pushed away by the diving Kennedy but the waiting Michael Lennon was ruled offside after he had slipped home the rebound. Matt Rhead’s header drifted past the upright, Lennon chipped the ball over the bar and substitute Robin Gibson had a long range effort deflected for a corner.

With MacPherson making way for Rodney Jack, the former Crewe Alex winger tormented the tiring Worksop rearguard with his pace down the right. In the last quarter hour, Nantwich attackers cut in four times from the right but on each occasion Rhead, Carter (twice) and Jack dragged their shots across the goal and agonisingly wide of the left post.

Worksop were hanging on as the game headed into three minutes of added time and were relieved to hear the final whistle after that controversial ‘goal’ that never was. Neat build up play again put Jack clear down the right and the rest, as they say, is history. Things even themselves out? The Nantwich faithful will certainly be watching out for opponents having a good last minute winner disallowed!

Nantwich: Jones, Sedgemore, Shaw, Sutton, Tinson, MacPherson, Carter, Blackhurst, Rhead, Lennon, Flynn. Subs: Whittaker, Jack (for MacPherson), Mahmoud, Gibson (for Lennon), Chapman. Attendance: 186

Match report written by Michael Chatwin