Nantwich Town 3
Frickley Athletic 1
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Date: Saturday 13th February.2010

NANTWICH TOWN 3 v FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 1
Marvin Robinson.37. 70 Neil Towler.63.
Ashley Carter.58


NANTWICH: Chapman. Davidson. Flynn. Tinson ©. Whittaker. Sedgemore. Jack. McPherson. Robinson. Lennon. Carter. Substitutes: Blackhurst. Street. Madeley. McNulty. Mahmoud.

FRICKLEY: Nicklin. Normington. Fisher. Walsh. Heath. Lindley. Davies. Groome. Norris. Palmer. White. Substitutes: Towler. Bloor. Grace. Moody.

Referee. Mr R.W Strain.
Attendance: 318.

Nantwich made no less than a dozen changes to the side that capitulated to FC United last weekend. Following the release of four first team players during the week head coach Peter Hall re-signed winger Danny Griggs from Congleton Town, recalled winger Omar Mahmoud from his loan spell at Winsford United and brought youth team defender Liam McNulty back into the squad before nominating both a place on the bench as the ‘Dabbers’ eagerly sought a return to winning ways.

Meanwhile, the visitors were on the back foot almost from the start and the man causing Billy Heath’s side the most problems was former Crewe Alexandra striker RODNEY JACK who has made infrequent starts for Nantwich so far this season. JACK combined with winger ASHLEY CARTER in the first minute before winning a corner whilst on five minutes striker MICHAEL LENNON was forced into shooting wide after he was subjected to a bout of shirt tugging. However, the referee allowed play to continue and took no action against the offending player.

On 10 minutes JACK was again to the fore this time when he found LENNON in space whose first time effort was scrambled clear then JACK set up DAVE WHITTAKER who was unfortunate to witness his shot drift wide of the target.

INCIDENT. 20 Minutes. Play was brought to a standstill when Nantwich goalkeeper BEN CHAPMAN was injured during a heavy collision with a Frickley player in a goalmouth incident. Chapman, who landed heavily, was taken to hospital for a check up on a neck injury as a precaution. Meanwhile, midfielder DAVE McPHERSON took over from CHAPMAN in goal whilst GLYN BLACKHURST replaced McPHERSON in midfield.

GOAL.37 Minutes. Nantwich went ahead through striker MARVIN ROBINSON. Initially, ROSS DAVIDSON’S shot was deflected for a corner – JAKE SEDGEMORE’S dead ball kick met by ROBINSON who planted a firm header beyond the Frickley NICKLIN.

Nantwich were well on top as the half drew to a close. CARTER had a shot blocked on the line – ROBINSON was hauled down on the edge of the area when looking to be through on goal but no action was taken other than the granting of a free kick whilst a SEDGEMORE free kick just crept over the bar from distance.

HT: NANTWICH TOWN 1 v FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 0

INCIDENT. Frickley were reduced to 10 men when defender GRANT NORMINGTON was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Nantwich were having the majority of the play and on 50 minutes a SEDGMORE shot rattled an upright. Chances came and went as the home side continued in search of another goal. However, the ‘Dabbers’ deservedly increased their lead some 8 minutes later.

GOAL: 58 minutes. ROBINSON won the ball on the halfway line before bringing LENNON into play who in turn found ASHLEY CARTER beating NICKLIN in the Frickley goal with a low shot from close range.

GOAL: 63 Minutes. Frickley substitute NEIL TOWLER took advantage of some hesitant defending to reduce the deficit and set up a potential tight finish.

GOAL: 70 Minutes. ROBINSON picked out LENNON on the left – LENNON in turn pulling the ball back before feeding ROBINSON who crashed the ball into the roof of the net from inside the 6 yard box.

INCIDENT. 80 minutes. Play suspended for a second time when the match referee was forced to retire with a pulled muscle. An appeal over the PA system for a qualified person to replace the assistant who had taken charge brought forward local class 1 referee WILLIE BEECH and the match was able to continue.

FT: NANTWICH TOWN 3 v FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 1

Nantwich move up one place to 14th ahead of Tuesday’s away fixture at 16th placed Burscough.

Man of the Match. RODNEY JACK. Nantwich Town.

Rating. ***

Match report written by Phil Johnson