Nantwich Town 2
Matlock Town 1
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Friday 1st January.2010

NANTWICH TOWN 2 v MATLOCK TOWN 1
Dave Macpherson.77 Ross Hannah.63
Marvin Robinson.83

NANTWICH: Ben Chapman. Ross Davidson. Chris Flynn. Richie Sutton. Darren Tinson. Jed Murphy. Ashley Carter. Dave McPherson. Andy Kinsey (Lennon 76). Marvin Robinson (Madeley 86). Kevin Street. Substitutes: Michael Lennon. Glyn Blackhurst. Sam Madeley. Aaron Carter. Lee McAnulty.

MATLOCK: Nick Buxton. Adam Yates. Scott Brough. Adam Cartwright. Simon Sturdy. James Lukic. Gareth Davies. Steve Warne. Nathan Joynes. Ross Hannah. Ben Algar (Benger 84). Substitutes: Nathan Benger. Stef Frost. Mark Haran.

Referee: Mr David Croft.
Attendance: 707.

A trio of new signings made their home debuts for NANTWICH TOWN as the ‘Dabbers’ sought their first league win at home since the 4-2 win over NORTH FERRIBY UNITED back on the 10th of October. Having scored four goals in his opening two away matches former Derby County and Stoke City striker Mervyn Robinson was eager to demonstrate his skills to the home support – also making their first appearance at the Weaver stadium were on loan Port Vale midfielder Ross Davidson and 31 year old experienced former (Blue Square Premier / North) central midfielder Jed Murphy, who was only registered for NANTWICH with the UniBond League hours before kick off whilst stand-in young goalkeeper Ben Chapman deputised in the absence of unavailable regular Lee Jones and Jed Murphy started in midfield in place of the unavailable Jake Sedgemore.. Meanwhile, MATLOCK arrived hoping to continue their excellent run of form in the league and continue an unbeaten run which stretched back to the 24th of October.

In front of a healthy crowd NANTWICH were first to show when striker ANDY KINSEY elected to shoot from 20 yards but the effort fizzed wide of the target. Meanwhile, debutant midfielder JED MURHY went close with a long range effort that just dipped over the bar. For MATLOCK, striker ROSS HANNAH had a good opportunity to put the visitors ahead, but placed his shot wide from around 15 yards.

Just before the half hour KINSEY took a 25 yard free kick that BUXTON managed to hold, followed by ASHLEY CARTER, whose 15 yard strike ended with the Matlock ‘keeper parrying the NANTWICH wingers shot, unfortunately for NANTWICH there was no home player on hand to take advantage. At the other end, striker NATHAN JOYNES set up strike partner HANNAH who forced CHAPMAN to make a brave save from the MATLOCK front runner.

On 32 minutes, BUXTON denied a powerful strike from ROBINSON whilst at the other end, CHAPMAN excelled when he bravely held a free kick from defender ADAM CARTWRIGHT. However, two minutes from the break the home side came close to taking the lead – albeit courtesy of an own goal, when CARTERS cross was intercepted by ‘Gladiators’ defender SIMON STURDY –the diving header from the MATLOCK No.5 a mere whisker away from going into the back of the net!

Half time: NANTWICH TOWN 0 v MATLOCK TOWN 0

The second period continued very much in the same pattern as the first half but NANTWICH had a great chance to take the lead on the hour when a pass from ROBINSON to DAVE McPHERSON was wasted by the NANTWICH midfielder when he shot wide from 12 yards, despite not being under challenge. Shortly afterwards, ROSS DAVIDSON shot wide from long distance whilst for the visitors, JOYNES short pass to HANNAH was well held by the young NANTWICH ‘keeper from ‘Gladiators striker HANNAH.

GOAL. 63 Minutes: MATLOCK took the lead against the run of play when HANNAH got on to the end of a long ball before edging past central defender DARREN TINSON and then the advancing CHAPMAN before slotting home from close range. HANNAH then went close to putting his side further ahead when he again controlled a long ball but on this occasion CHAPMAN thwarted him.

GOAL. 77 minutes: NANTWICH deservedly pulled level when midfielder CHRIS FLYNN’S superb free kick from wide on the right fell neatly to McPHERSON who made no mistake on this occasion by firing into the net from close range.

GOAL. 83 Minutes. NANTWICH went ahead – again from a set piece when FLYNN’S corner reached former Crewe Alexandra midfielder KEVIN STREET whose clip into the 6 yard box was buried by ROBINSON to give the powerful striker his 5th goal in 3 games.

With just under half the season still to play the win elevates NANTWICH back into the top half of the division to place them just 4 points outside the play off zone.

FT: NANTWICH TOWN 2 v MATLOCK TOWN 1

Rating: **. ‘Man of the Match’. SIMON STURDY. Matlock Town.

PHOTO: Marvin Robinson fires in a shot at the Matlock goal.

Match report written by Phil Johnson