Farsley Celtic 2
Nantwich Town 0
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Two goals from league top scorer James Walshaw condemned Nantwich Town to their fifth consecutive league defeat, writes Ryan Batty.

Farsley Celtic took the lead after 69 minutes as Walshaw side-footed past Reece Quinn. And with five minutes to go, Walshaw doubled the lead when he chipped the ball over the keeper to complete a miserable away day in Yorkshire for the Dabbers.

Nantwich dominated the first half and had an early chance through David Forbes who was thwarted by defenders.

The first clear chance for the hosts came on 10 minutes as Adam Priestly caught the Nantwich defence off-guard, but his shot hit the side netting.

Nantwich had the ball in the net when Sean Cooke fired one in from 25 yards but his effort was called back for a prior foul on McKibben.

Joe Mwasile put in a driven cross towards Cooke who was able to get a shot away which was deflected for a corner.

It was a scrappy game, but the visitors were unlucky to not be leading as Mwasile showed his strength and caused Farsley’s defence problems throughout.

Youngster Quinn saved a Walshaw free-kick with his feet before diving on the ball to prevent the goal.

Priestly picked up a knock with a few minutes to go in the first period and Farsley manager Adam Lakeland was forced into a change.

On the stroke of half-time, Nantwich came close when Wildin and Mwasile combined well, but a heavy touch from Sam Hall saw the chance disappear.

The Celts’ first chance of the second half saw Isaac Baldwin’s low and powerful cross blocked by Bourne for a corner.

Then Hall tried an audacious effort from 35 yards as he struck the ball on the half-volley, but it flew over.

Nantwich were again unlucky not to take the lead as Cooke went through, but he lost control at the crucial moment.

With 25 to go, Walshaw found space on the left and slipped the ball past Quinn to give Farsley the lead.

A quick break from the hosts found Nantwich short at the back, but pressure was forced onto Ben Atkinson and the Farsley midfielder’s shot was poor and off-target.

With ten minutes to go, Cooke won a free-kick but he fired it into the wall.

Soon after, Walshaw scored his second goal as Nantwich’s attacking game backfired. The league top scorer spotted Quinn off his line and dinked it over the keeper to seal the points.

Walshaw could have had a hat-trick as he stepped up to take a free-kick on the edge of the Nantwich area. However, Quinn was on hand to tip the ball onto the bar and prevent the third goal.

Jordan Davies made an impact from the bench, as he was through in the 90th minute, but his shot hit the ground and bounced wide.

In the second minute of added time, Nantwich had the ball in the net when Davies headed it in after the keeper fumbled. But the referee gave a foul on the keeper and disallowed the goal.

Nantwich: Reece Quinn, Jamie Morgan (Jordan Davies 85), Courtney Wildin, Troy Bourne, Toby Mullarkey, Sam Hall (C), Joe Mwasile, Casper Hughes, Harry Clayton (Steve Jones 70), Sean Cooke, David Forbes. Subs not used: Matt Bell, Chris Rowntree, Danny Griggs

Match report written by Ryan Batty (www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk)