Blyth Spartans 2
Nantwich Town 1
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

BLYTH SPARTANS 2-1 NANTWICH TOWN
Football can be a cruel mistress and Nantwich Town were the latest victims as a cruel late goal saw them miss out on a share of the points at Blyth Spartans.
The Dabbers took the lead midway through the first half thanks to a Harry Clayton strike. But a penalty from Stephen Turnbull and a last-gasp strike from Robbie Dale saw Nantwich’s three game winning run finally come to an end.
The Dabbers were forced into two changes from the side that thumped Witton Albion, with Mark Jones missing due to work commitments and Liam Shotton was ruled out with injury.
Johnathan Moran and Clayton came in for them, with Steve Jones and Shaun Dowling making the bench.
With four minutes gone Blyth Spartans created their only serious chance of the first half, as a cross from Aaron Wearmouth was deflected by Andy White onto his only bar.
The Dabbers were fighting against the wind and a solid Spartans defence, whilst Robbie Dale got a shot away for the hosts. But his long effort was straight at Terry Smith.
Nantwich Town won a corner shortly afterwards, with Andy White making great strides down the wing and causing havoc for his opposite full back.
From it the Dabbers won a second successive corner, as they tried to put pressure of this season’s FA Cup giant killers in the early exchanges.
Cooke had the first real effort for Nantwich on 12 minutes when a free kick was whipped at goal, but Nicholas Thomson was equal to it.
Sean Cooke was booked on 21 minutes as he clipped Wearmouth late. Cooke was the only man to enter the referee’s book throughout the 90 minutes.
And the Dabbers burst into the lead on 26 minutes, thanks to Clayton. The forward stole the ball off a stationary defender and slotted it past the onrushing Thomson to make it two in two for him.
It was also the fourth consecutive game that the Dabbers had taken the lead in.
Kosylo could have made it 2-0 on 34 minutes when the Dabbers broke through Platt, who played in the former Ashton man. He cut inside and turned a defender, but his driven shot curled away wide.
The Dabbers had to do some stout defending as the half ticked on, with Blyth looking for an equaliser. But lead by stand in captain Mat Bailey, they were able to stand firm and limit the hosts to no real chances.
There was some real concern as the first half entered added time, when Harrison was caught in the aftermath of a corner.
Although there was no foul, the injury was serious and the Dabbers had to see out the half with just 10 men, with Harrison unable to continue.
At half time Shaun Dowling came on in place of Harrison.
Now with the wind behind their backs, Nantwich started the second half full of energy and desire. PJ Hudson broke into the box after just a couple of minutes, but he fired over the bar.
White then had an effort from just outside the box, but with his weaker right foot it went wide.
It was all Nantwich as Clayton then won a corner. It lead to a couple further chances, with the second from Cooke almost catching out the Blyth keeper directly.
Then Smith produced one of the saves of the season, as he stopped Maguire from getting the equaliser. A deflected shot fell to Maguire from six yards out, and Smith, diving low, pulled the ball from under and behind him to safety.
However Blyth won a penalty when Moran brought his man down just inside the area and Steven Turnbull sent Smith the wrong way to level things up.
The goal lifted the home crowd as Blyth found renewed hope, while Nantwich just had to regroup after an excellent first 50 minutes previous.
Nantwich split Blyth open as a Hudson ball found Kosylo, who set up Cooke. His shot was blocked, but Hudson crossed the ball back in to Clayton.
He got his shot away whilst stationary, but it was well saved from point-blank range.
Wearmouth could have given Blyth the lead, but his shot deflected wide by Dowling. However, the referee had already blown for a handball.
The game was really opening up as both teams went for the win, which they needed for different reasons.
On 73 minutes Clayton was brought off as he was tripped off the ball, as he and his opposition attacked. The goal scorer was replaced by Mark Winslade.
Moran could have atoned for giving away the penalty, when he headed goalwards unmarked from a Cooke corner. But it was straight at the keeper.
Smith had to make another fine save as Davis broke through on goal. But the Dabbers keeper was able to deny the sub.
In the final change for the Dabbers Steve Jones came on for Nicky Platt with just 16 minutes to go.
Kosylo could have had an open goal to aim at, when a cross-field pass from Hudson missed the ‘keeper. He had come rushing out to gather and missed it completely, but recovered to slide-tackle Kosylo with the goal gaping.
From the corner Bailey headed over the bar as the game entered the final 15 minutes.
Sub Jones could have been an instant hero as Kosylo disposed Dale and allowed the former Northern Ireland man in. But his effort whistled past the post.
The match was won with just three minutes to go when a low cross was turned in by Dale. Smith had got a touch on the ball, but he couldn’t keep the ball out of the net. It was a cruel, cruel blow for the Dabbers who had played well across the pitch and throughout the match.
Winslade could have been a Nantwich hero when a long ball into the was headed on by Bailey, who had gone up front. But the forward’s looping effort landed on the top of the net with Thomson beaten and stationary.
Despite four minutes of added time Nantwich couldn’t find an eqauliser which would have given the Dabbers an excellent point in their charge up the table.
Phil Parkinson’s men will be hoping for all three points on Tuesday night as they welcome Whitby Town to the Weaver Stadium on Tuesday 14 April. Kick-off is 3:00pm.
Blyth Spartans: Thomson, Nicholson, Mullen, Bramley, Parker, Turnbull, Wearmouth, Hooks, Maguire, Richardson and Dale (C)
Subs: Wade, Lynch, Hawkins (on for Richardson, 81 minutes), Watson (on for Turnbull, 90 minutes) and Davis (on for Wearmouth, 73 minutes).
Nantwich Town: Smith, Moran, White, Bailey (C), Harrison, Osborne, Hudson, Platt, Clayton, Cooke and Kosylo.
Subs: Winslade (on for Clayton, 73 minutes), S.Jones (on for Platt, 79 minutes), Mighten, Dowling (on for Harrison, 46 minutes) and Hartley.
Att:503

Match report written by Daniel Curtis (Nantwich Town programme)