Whitby Town 3
Nantwich Town 1
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

EVO-STIK FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Saturday 2nd April.2011

WHITBY TOWN 3 v NANTWICH TOWN 1
Andy Campbell.18 Sam Aspinwall.83
Jimmy Beadle.24
Dave McTiernan.81
WHITBY TOWN: Campbell. Lyth. White. Hassan. Burgess. Leeson. McTiernan. Hackworth (c). Campbell. Beadle. Scott.. SUBSTITUTES: Cornforth. Hodgson. Batchelor. Lambert. Courtney (g/k)
NANTWICH TOWN: Platt. Sedgemore (c). Foster. Blackhurst. Reeves (Whittaker 60). McDonald. Carter (Haughton 75). Carr. Oswell. Lennon. Blake (Aspinwall 78). SUBSTITUTES: Whittaker. Crane. Haughton. Aspinwall. Chapman (g/k)
Referee: Mr T. Peart.
Attendance: 293
Nantwich Town Man of the Match: ZAC FOSTER
Nantwich Town face a tumultuous task to retain their premier division status after failing to match their more industrious opponents on the East Coast at the weekend and as a result drop into the relegation zone, not only for the first time since November in this most turbulent of seasons for ‘The Dabbers,’ but at a most crucial period as the battle rages in the lower reaches of the division and with the end of season fast appearing on the horizon. Meanwhile, a misunderstanding resulted in DANNY ADAMS return to the squad being delayed until next weekend - RODNEY JACK cried off for the second time in a week, but there was one encouraging factor – ZAC FOSTER, who suffered the disappointment of being released from the Stoke City Academy earlier in the week, made himself available and put in his third Man of the Match performance since his arrival at The Weaver Stadium.
In ultra dry conditions, Nantwich were first to show and as early as the 2nd minute a Nantwich raid into the opposition area went agonizingly close to giving ‘The Dabbers’ the lead when GLYNN BLACKHURST skipped past two home defenders to drive a fierce angled ground shot toward the right of DAVE CAMPBELL’S goal – the ball then spinning off the long serving goalkeeper’s feet as he threw himself across the shot to deny Nantwich the lead. However, it took the hosts a matter of minutes to place Nantwich on the defensive and in the 7th minute, it was thanks’ to BLACKHURT’S presence in the centre of the goal that Whitby were held at bay when the Nantwich midfielder bravely headed clear. Startling gaps then began to appear in the Nantwich rearguard, leaving the home side to exploit the deficiencies, and it seemed only a matter of time before Whitby took the lead. And take the lead they did when, in the 18th minute, Nantwich allowed a bus lane width channel from left to right in the defensive area to open up thus allowing the ball to reach the unmarked ANDY CAMPBELL to hand the Whitby striker the simplest of tasks to drive a low shot beyond DANIEL PLATT from 10 yards out.
This was far from a physical match, but Whitby possessed a greater physical presence, a factor that has resulted in Nantwich being placed at a disadvantage so many times this season. On 20 minutes, a LEON SCOTT free kick taken from deep on the Nantwich left dipped dangerously toward the angle of far post and bar before dropping behind whilst four minutes later, a further free kick resulted in an almighty scramble in the Nantwich 6 yard box, and it was only after referee PEART brought play to a halt for a foul on PLATT, that danger passed. Meanwhile, a 25 yard JAKE SEDGEMORE free kick dipped over the opposition bar but from the goal kick, Whitby swept downfield, scythed their way down the Nantwich right, before feeding the unmarked JIMMY BEADLE whose clinical finish had the beating of PLATT to hand Nantwich a momentous task of at least getting back level terms. However, on 27 minutes, Nantwich were handed a chance, when CAMPBELL spilled SEDGEMORE’S left sided free kick but, despite being in a prominent position, JASON OSWELL’S hesitancy allowed the Whitby goalkeeper a chance to recover, whilst on the half hour, BLACKHURST twice got in with shots from around the edge of the area but despite the power behind the shots, a sea of defensive legs diverted the ball away from goal. Nantwich finished strongly, albeit without hurting Whitby. SEDGEMORE’S 42nd minute free kick landed straight into the waiting hands of CAMPBELL – a 44th minute ZAC FOSTER free kick to the far post from the Whitby right was headed clear, whilst a KYLE BLAKE centre from the opposite flank was held by the Whitby ‘keeper at the far post. MICHAEL LENNON required treatment for a knock on his right ankle moments before the break and although he appeared in the second half, the incident looked to have affected ‘The Dabbers’ leading scorer’s mobility.
HT: WHITBY TOWN 2 v NANTWICH TOWN 0
For the most part, Nantwich disappointingly failed to raise their game in the second half and as a result, even a precious point looked out of their grasp the further the match progressed. SEDGEMORE’S poorly taken 52nd minute free kick was easily dealt with, whilst OSWELL’S cut back from the bye line a minute later failed to be met by a Nantwich player. CHARLIE REEVES made way for DAVE WHITTAKER on the hour, followed five minutes later by AIDAN HAUGHTON, who replaced ASHLEY CARTER in midfield. HAUGHTON’S introduction gave Nantwich an initial spark and he was instrumental in gaining possession that allowed BLACKHURST to float the ball over the hesitant Whitby defence intended for LENNON. However, whilst it was positive thinking by BLACKHURST, his effort from just outside the area fell a shade too far for LENNON, leaving CAMPBELL to easily claim the loose ball. Ten minutes from normal time PLATT just managed to hold off CAMPBELL at his right hand post and then moments later, Whitby captain TONY HACKWORTH’S flick on to CAMPBELL provided danger but thanks’ to PLATT’S timing, CAMPBELL was denied the chance of completing a brace. However, Whitby were not to be denied and went on to extend their lead nine minutes from normal time when midfielder DAVE McTIERNAN latched on to a ball swung in from the Nantwich right and beat PLATT with a free header from a mere 3 yards out.
Nantwich reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute, when substitute SAM ASPINWALL pulled a high ball down and beat the advancing CAMPBELL with an angled shot from just inside the area whilst at the other end, WHITTAKER whipped the ball away from the feet of the advancing CAMPBELL – PLATT followed moments later by punching clear from a corner – a BEADLE strike from a CHRIS BATCHELOR pass was charged down by the under pressure Nantwich rearguard, whilst with only CAMPBELL between him and the goalmouth, HAUGHTON lost his footing just as he was about to tee up a shot to leave the ball rolling towards CAMPBELL who, without any shadow of doubt, probably enjoyed one of the most comfortable afternoon’s of his season.

FT: WHITBY TOWN 3 v NANTWICH TOWN 1

Match report written by Ashley Houghton