Nantwich Town 2
Kendal Town 1
FA Cup (3rd Round Qualifying)

Match Report

FA CUP THIRD ROUND QUALIFYING
NANTWICH TOWN 2 KENDAL TOWN 1
Nantwich eased into the final qualifying round with an accomplished performance at a sunny Weaver Stadium. The Dabbers came from behind to edge out Kendal in a typical cup-tie played at a frenetic pace.
The hosts had the better of the first period and twice had the ball in the back of the net – only for the referee to rule them out for offside. But straight after the break, Nantwich were stunned when Danny Williams capitalised on hesitancy in the home defence to nip in and slot the ball past Jonny Brain in the home goal.
Jimmy Quinn’s side responded in style, though, and gradually re-asserted their midfield control. Mat Bailey’s header was cleared off the line by Marc Joseph and then defensive colleague JJ Bailey was on hand to level matters when he hooked home when Tom Newton could only parry a corner.
The Dabbers went 2-1 up on 71 minutes. Mat Bailey squared the ball into the path of Aleksandrs Solovjovs and his rasping 25 yard drive thundered past the diving Newton. The Latvian almost repeated the trick 10 minutes later but this time Newton finger-tipped his effort over the bar. Rory Winters headed off the line to deny Michael Lennon’s acrobatic effort as Nantwich looked to cement victory. As the clocked ticked down, Brain was called into action to deny a late flurry from the visitors but Nantwich held firm to book their passage into the next round.
Scorers: Nantwich: JJ Bailey 55mins, Aleksandrs Solovjovs 71mins. Kendal: Danny Williams 46mins.
Entertainment: 3
Man of the Match: Fraser McLachlan (Nantwich)

Match report written by Michael Chatwin