Guiseley 1
Nantwich Town 0
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Tuesday 15 September 2009

GUISELEY 1 NANTWICH TOWN 0
Reeves 53

Nantwich returned home empty-handed from their trip to Guiseley but can take some comfort from a more committed performance against a team tipped to challenge for UniBond honours.

A defensive mix-up early in the second half was the Dabbers’ undoing with substitute Damian Reeves capitalising on a mis-understanding between young keeper Ben Chapman and Chris Shaw to stab home Chris Holland’s cross.

The goal seemed to sap Nantwich confidence after a spirited first half display saw the Dabbers more than match their Yorkshire hosts with Head Coach ringing the changes. Chapman, Aaron Carter, Chris Shaw and Dave Tickle were all included in the starting line-up as the Dabbers started with a 4-5-1 formation to combat Guiseley’s midfield threat.

The move appeared to pay off as the Dabbers took an early strangehold on the game and could have gone ahead had Chris Flynn’s strike not been blocked in a ruck of Guiseley defenders. The Lions responded and Steve Burton should have done better with a free header on 12 minutes. Burton volleyed Jerome Fitzgerald’s deep cross over the bar in a rare threat on goal whilst for the Dabbers, Chris Shaw blasted a free kick into the wall just before the break.

Less than ten minutes into the second half came the goal that was to decide the encounter but both sides could have added to the scoring. Guiseley’s Anthony Lloyd hit the post and then Reeves fired into the side netting after rounding Chapman. For Nantwich, Glyn Blackhurst headed over and Ashley Carter clipped a late shot just over the bar having earlier seen a free kick deflected narrowly wide.

The Dabbers cause had been hindered when Ritchie Sutton was sent off ten minutes from time after receiving a second yellow card for a cumbersome challenge as Liam Needham forged towards the box. But, with the visitors unable to exert any concerted pressure, Guiseley held on to victory with relative comfort.

Nantwich: Chapman, Flynn, Tickle, Sutton, Tinson, MacPherson, Ashley Carter, Blackhurst, Aaron Carter, Lennon, Shaw. Subs: Gibson (for Flynn, 35), Rhead (for Lennon, 68), Whittaker, Jack (for Shaw, 60), Mahmoud.
Attendance: 233

Match report written by Michael Chatwin