Nantwich Town 1
Eastwood Town 0
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

A solitary goal from a Harry Clayton penalty gave Darren Moss-led Nantwich Town a second win in a row in the league at the expense of relegation-threatened Eastwood Town, for the first time since December.
Clayton, who is on a second one month loan from Crewe Alexandra and brother of The Railwaymen’s Max Clayton, dispatched his penalty in to the middle of Eastwood Town goalkeeper Alex Malong’s net in the 56th minute when PJ Hudson was tripped in the area.
After a first half where the Dabbers dominated possession but the Badgers had the better chances, the home side looked determined to capitalise on their dominance as soon as the second half began and this led to Clayton’s goal.
Eastwood had real problems in the first 45 minutes dealing with attacks down their right with full back Daniel Roberts struggling to keep close to Nantwich’s PJ Hudson at left wing.
Hudson and teammate Chris Bailey constantly found space on their flank which Caspar Hughes in the Nantwich midfield made the most of with several cross-field balls leading to crossing chances.
Despite Hudson often having the freedom of the Weaver Stadium pitch though, he regularly failed to find the head of ex-Maine Road FC striker Tom Bentham.
On the 40th minute though after Nantwich’s attacks had become increasingly tame, the ball fell to Eastwood Town’s Dominic Allen barely six yards out but his shot was deflected away by Jon Brain.
The ball bounced kindly at fellow forward, Romaine Graham’s feet, who inexplicably fired over a grateful Brain’s bar.
At 1-0 Nantwich’s comfort in possession really came to the fore however their profligacy meant they did not score as many as they would have liked against an Eastwood side who lie bottom of the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier.

Match report written by James Briscoe