Nantwich Town 2
Whitley Bay 3
FA Cup (2nd Round Qualifying)

Match Report

FA CUP.2ND QUALIFYING ROUND
Saturday 25th September.2010.Kick off 15.00
NANTWICH TOWN 2 v WHITLEY BAY 3
Gareth Williams. Og.19 Paul Chow. 63
Rodney Jack.70. Gary Ormston. 79.
Craig McFarlane. 82
NANTWICH TOWN: Chapman. Aaron Carter (Robinson 85). Tickle. Adams. Tinson. Sedgemore (c). Jack (Blackhurst 78). Carr. Whittaker. Lennon (Aspinwall 54). Ashley Carter. Substitutes: Blake. Aspinwall. Blackhurst. Flynn. Robinson. Mahmoud. Astbury g/k.
WHITLEY BAY: Hayes. McFarlane. Pounder. Rowe (Smith 60). Cornforth. Williams. Fawcett (Ormston 75). Robson (c). Kerr. Johnston. Robinson (Chow 57). Substitutes: Gibson. Smith. Chow. Ormston. Coulson. Fell. Timmons.
Referee: Mr Simeon Lucas.
Attendance: 344.
Current FA Vase holders Whitley Bay pulled off a deserved victory over former FA Vase winners Nantwich Town and left the Weaver stadium £4,500 the richer.
But it was Nantwich who largely dominated the first half - however, it was the same old story as far as the hosts were concerned – entertaining, constructive football, from which loads of chances emerged, but once again, failed to put even a small percentage away thus proving costly match after match so far this season. And it was thanks’ to a rather fortunate GARETH WILLIAMS own goal that the home side took the lead in the 19th minute when Nantwich midfielder ASHLEY CARTER initially pulled the ball back from the bye line after beating ‘Bay’ left back DAVID POUNDER – CARTER picking his spot to fire toward the far post but the right leg of midfielder WILLIAMS intercepted CARTER’S effort before turning the ball into the net from on the line.
However, on chances alone Nantwich really should have been in front before that – super play from man of the match RODNEY JACK in the 5th minute allowed ‘Dabbers’ striker DAVE WHITTAKER the chance to place a firm header on target which came back off a post before rebounding to fellow striker MICHAEL LENNON whose close range effort beat ‘keeper KYLE HAYES but was then hacked off the line much to the relief of an under siege defence. JACK then fired over from just outside the box following excellent work by WHITTAKER and LENNON but CARTER disappointed with an effort from just outside the box – again following good work by the industrious JACK. Meanwhile, at the other end, a move started by ‘Bay’ captain DAMON ROBSON ended with a cracking 20 yard strike from CRAIG McFARLANE but Nantwich ‘keeper BEN CHAPMAN was in direct line of the shot and easily held from the tenacious right back.
Nantwich continued to dominate the half allowing their hosts only limited possession – however, as the first period drew to a close Whitley Bay’s confidence grew just as the home side’s tempo began to reduce during which CHRIS FAWCETTS angled ball from deep on the Nantwich left narrowly missed the well placed LEE KERR a mere 6 yards out.
HT: Nantwich Town 1 v Whitley Bay 0
Somewhat predictably, Whitley Bay emerged from the dressing room believing they had a real chance of winning the tie and for the opening minutes placed their hosts on the back foot. In one ‘Bay’ move Nantwich ‘keeper CHAPMAN just managed to punch FAWCETT’S centre clear from amongst a crowded goalmouth followed by great efforts from KERR who narrowly cleared the bar with a close range effort whilst JOE CORNFORTH’S close range shot struck a post from similar distance. On 57 minutes the visitors introduced PAUL CHOW into the front line and six minutes later climbed above the Nantwich defence to bury a corner with a bullet header to pull the tie level. However, a mere seven minutes elapsed before JACK produced one of the finest goals seen to date at the Weaver Stadium – twisting and turning on the left just inside the Whitley Bay half the former Crewe forward showed class when he outstripped three defenders before cutting into the box and firing a venomous low strike that hit the near bottom corner of the net with such force it actually stretched the netting to put the home side ahead once more. And it wasn’t just JACK’S forward play that caught the eye – when called upon to defend he did just that and as a result justifiably earned the man of the match award.
Both sides introduced changes as the half progressed but it was Whitley Bay who took most advantage from the substitutions – GARY ORMSTON, on for FAWCETT, equalized in the 79th minute when his persistence allowed him to take advantage of terrible Nantwich defending whilst McFARLANE then repeated same in the 82nd minute to put Whitley Bay in the driving seat.
Meanwhile, four minutes of added time saw substitute Nantwich striker MARVIN ROBINSON lift the ball over the bar from close range whilst fellow striker SAM ASPINWALL repeated same from similar range. Same old story for Nantwich but, credit to the visitors, they deserved victory in a match that their hosts, on chances alone, should have put the tie out of reach in the first half alone.

Man of the Match: RODNEY JACK. Nantwich Town.
Match Rating. ****

Match report written by Ashley Houghton