Cammell Laird 4
Nantwich Town 3 (AET)
Cheshire Senior Cup (2nd Round)

Match Report

Cheshire Senior Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 15th December 2009

CAMMELL LAIRD 4 NANTWICH TOWN 3 (after extra time)
Bowen 61 Lennon 19
Tuck 64, 118 Robinson 51,71
Rendell 77


After a bright start, Nantwich threw away a two-goal lead to slip to a sorry defeat on a chilly night in Birkenhead. It was a bitter blow to lose to rivals who ply their trade one step below the Dabbers in the UniBond First Division South.

One bright point for Head Coach Peter Hall was the performance of former Premier League striker Marvin Robinson who nabbed two goals on a promising debut. The second goal – a belter from almost 40 yards that caught Lairds keeper Richie Whiteside off his line – looked to have put the Dabbers back in the driving seat after two Lairds goals in three minutes had wiped out what looked like a comfortable Nantwich lead.

Indeed, Nantwich had started well – Robinson heading over and Michael Lennon finding himself with only the keeper to beat before overrunning the ball on a skiddy surface. Then, with less than 20 minutes on the clock, Lennon started and finished the move that broke the deadlock – heading home Glyn Blackhurst’s cross from close range.

Soon afterwards Chris Flynn, returning after a four week suspension, almost doubled the lead but he was just unable to reach Kevin Street’s cross with the goal gaping. For Lairds, Paul McDonnell ballooned over and Anthony Lynch warmed the hands of young keeper Ben Chapman with a 25 yard free-kick but Nantwich looked good value for their interval lead.

Five minutes into the second half, Lennon set up Robinson to tuck the ball past Whiteside to make it 2-0 as the Dabbers appeared to have the game in their grasp. But it was not to be and soon afterwards Lairds player-boss Alex Hay substituted himself for Shaun Tuck. Within minutes, the deficit was reduced when the ball ricocheted kindly to Aaron Bowen who cut inside Dave Tickle before smashing home past Chapman.

Three minutes later the hosts were back on level terms and, again there was an element of fortune about the goal with Bowen’s strike being deflected past Chapman by substitute Tuck. With the Dabbers clearly rattled, Anthony Lipson unleashed a stinger from 30 yards that just cleared the bar.

Then, out of the blue, came Robinson’s glorious second that put Nantwich back in front at 3-2. Sadly, the Dabbers were unable to capitalise on their lead and on 77 minutes Tony Rendell leveled it at 3-3 when he comfortably headed Lynch’s cross past Chapman. Lennon had a late chance to settle matters but his shot lacked venom and the match was taken into extra time.

The first period saw few chances of note but early in the second period, Lennon and Ashley Carter both had shots which Whiteside comfortably dealt with. Robinson headed wide from Flynn’s corner and then, with the tie seemingly heading for penalties, Tuck latched on to a ball through the middle and drilled past Chapman from 15 yards, sending Lairds into the semi-finals – an outcome their brave performance merited.

Nantwich: Chapman, Reeves, Tickle, Sutton, Tinson, Street, Ashley Carter, Blackhurst, Robinson, Lennon, Flynn. Subs: MacPherson (for Blackhurst, 64), Sedgemore, Aaron Carter (for Tickle, 91), Madeley, Jack (for Street 78).

Match report written by Michael Chatwin