Nantwich Town 0
Guiseley 2
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

UniBond League Premier Division
Saturday 6 March 2010
NANTWICH TOWN 0 GUISELEY 2
Walshaw 9, 81 (pen)

Nantwich were overpowered by high-flying Guiseley and slumped to a fourth defeat in five games. The Yorkshire visitors cemented their play-off claim with an early goal and a late penalty that left the Dabbers looking over their shoulders at the relegation battle below them.

Guiseley dangerman James Walshaw nabbed both of the Lions’ goals but could have filled his boots after the visitors roared into an early lead. From a 9th minute corner, Dave Merris outjumped Marvin Robinson in the home box, finding Adam Muller who slipped the ball for Walshaw to beat Ben Chapman from close range.

Glyn Blackhurst nearly got the Dabbers level midway through the half but he headed into the side netting from Jake Sedgemore’s corner. Chapman was called into action to deny Liam Needham after he connected with a cross from the left whilst Walshaw drilled wide following neat approach play. Five minutes later, Walshaw spurned another chance when he rifled wide after Needham had again cleverly played him in.

The hosts responded with Michael Lennon setting up Danny Griggs but the Nantwich winger blazed over the bar. The Dabbers were now gaining the upper hand and Lennon got his head on Ashley Carter’s deep cross to the back post but Jon Worsnop collected comfortably in the Guiseley goal. Carter then forced the dependable Worsnop into a spectacular save from his fierce drive as the visitors held on to an interval lead.

For most of the second period, the play off contenders looked comfortable. Man on the Match Jerome Fitzgerald curled a free kick over the bar on 50 minutes, substitute Patrick Lauber fizzed a shot wide and Chapman made a last ditch save from the alert Walshaw after he’d been slipped clear.
The nearest Nantwich came was a wayward long range strike from Blackhurst as the visitors secured the points ten minutes from time following a rash challenge from substitute Sam Madeley in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot and although Chapman got a hand to Walshaw’s penalty strike, the ball crept into the back of the net.

Late on Worsnop tipped Whittaker’s header over the bar from Lennon’s lifted cross but it would have been no more than a consolation for the Dabbers. It was an under-par display from the Weaver men which allowed Guiseley to chalk up a season’s double over their hosts.

Nantwich: Chapman, Sutton, Tickle, Flynn, Whittaker, Sedgemore, Carter, Blackhurst, Robinson, Lennon, Griggs. Subs: Street (for Carter,80), Jack, McAnulty, Aspinwall, Madeley (for Robinson,74). Attendance: 331

Match report written by Michael Chatwin