Nantwich Town 2
North Ferriby United 1
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

EVOSTIK FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Saturday 9th April.2011
NANTWICH TOWN 2 v NORTH FERRIBY UNITED 1
Jason Oswell.45 +2. 76 Gary Bradshaw. 79
NANTWICH: Platt. Sedgemore (c). Adams. Hughes (Jack 71). Reeves. McDonald. Carter (Aspinwall 83). Carr. Oswell (Crane 90). Lennon. Blackhurst. Substitutes: Jack. Whittaker. Aspinwall. Blake. Crane.
NORTH FERRIBY: Wilson. Leonard (Williams 59). Larvin. Wilkinson. Foot (c) (Turner 22). Harsley. Fry. Bolder. Davidson (Hadley 71). Bradshaw. Brooksby. Substitutes: Hadley. Williams. Turner. Thompson. Nicklin g/k
Referee: Mr J. Sheffield (Walsall)
Attendance: 337
Man of the Match: Jason Oswell. Nantwich Town.
Match Rating: ****
Nantwich bagged three precious points in their desperate fight to retain their status. Four points from a potential 39 ahead of this match was nothing short of relegation form. However, ‘The Dabbers’ turned it on in style against promotion hopefuls North Ferriby to deservedly take victory thanks’ to a brace from 18 year old on loan Crewe Alexandra striker Jason Oswell whilst North Ferriby had goalkeeper Steve Wilson to thank for keeping the winning margin lower.
North Ferriby were out of the traps early with PETER DAVIDSON twice having opportunities to score but on both occasions his close range shots lacked sufficient power to trouble Nantwich ‘keeper DANIEL PLATT. At the other end, JASON OSWELL’S cut back from the bye line was pushed away by STEVE WILSON. That started a push by the home side that had North Ferriby in retreat for long periods and had it not been for WILSON, Nantwich could have been at least three goals in front halfway through the first period.
For a time, Nantwich had players queuing up to break the deadlock but, despite efforts from OSWELL, MICHAEL LENNON, GLYN BLACKHURST, ASHLEY CARTER and MICHAEL CARR, North Ferriby managed to hold out. For the visitors, PAUL HARSLEY’S shot from outside the area finished wide before Nantwich came back to create further chances that again involved LENNON and OSWELL. On 34 minutes North Ferriby had WILSON to thank for acrobatically turning BLACKHURST goal bound looking strike over the bar. CARTER and LENNON had further opportunities as the half drew to a close whilst in a rare moment for the visitors, RUSSELL FRY’S 39th minute volley dipped well over the bar but almost on the stroke of half time Nantwich had PLATT to thank for holding a close range effort from KEVIN LARVIN.
The deadlock was broken two minutes into added time after CHARLIE REEVES had initially robbed GARY BRADSHAW in the Nantwich area to set up LENNON deep on the North Ferriby right hand side. Mounting pressure from the home side then forced a corner – LENNON’S close range strike was deflected off the line leaving OSWELL to pounce on the loose ball and poke it over the line to put Nantwich ahead.
HT: NANTWICH TOWN 1 v NORTH FERRIBY UNITED 0
The second half by and large followed the pattern of the first period. In fairness to North Ferriby, they never sat back and continued to graft away to get back on level terms. However, Wilson continued to be the busier of the two ‘keepers and excelled late on in the match when he turned substitute RODNEY JACK’S magnificent strike around a post. Nantwich went further ahead through OSWELL in the 76th minute when he used his height to reach a corner ball – deftly heading the ball over WILSON from 8 yards. GARY BRADSHAW found Nantwich defenders asleep in the 79th minute to reduce the deficit and from there on pushed and probed tin an effort to at least salvage a point. As the match drew to a close Nantwich looked almost dead on their feet but nevertheless showed sufficient resolve to claim maximum points and thus welcome relief at a time when Nantwich find themselves battling to retain their status for a second season in succession.

FT: NANTWICH TOWN 2 v NORTH FERRIBY UNITED 1

Match report written by Ashley Houghton