Buxton 2
Nantwich Town 1
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Nantwich Town suffered only their fourth away defeat of the season as they were beaten 2-1 at Buxton. Danny Glover had given the Dabbers a 14th minute lead but the Bucks came back with two goals in the first half through Nico De Girolamo and Liam Hardy to take all three points.

Dave Cooke made one change from the win over Stalybridge as Danny Glover came in for Callum Saunders, although the Dabbers’ manager was forced into a change 15 minutes before kick-off as Luke Walsh started instead of Matt Bell.

It was Buxton who started the brighter. Will Jaaskelainen needed to be alert as he tipped over Alex Brown’s driven shot from the left side of the box within a minute of the game kicking off.

The Dabbers began to dominate proceedings with Jamie Morgan causing the Bucks problems down the hosts’ left hand side, with the full back going close to opening the scoring but for the linesman’s flag.

But, it was Morgan who created the opening goal of the game as his marauding run into the box resulted in a scramble in the six yard box and the loose ball eventually being converted by Glover (pictured) from close range.

Nathan Cotterell had a great chance to double the lead as a cross from the right found the winger with time and space inside the box, but his effort was well blocked by defender Scott Sephton.

The home side equalised in the 27th minute when De Girolamo headed in from six yards after the Dabbers were unable to clear a corner.

Despite conceding, the Dabbers continued to look for a second goal and nice play down the right hand side resulted in James Lawrie firing a low effort on goal which Theo Roberts was able to save comfortably.

At the other end Jaaskelainen needed to be alert again as the keeper blocked Diego De Girolamo’s effort after the striker had found himself in on goal despite appearing to be in an offside position.

The Bucks took the lead moments before half-time as Hardy finished well at the near post after a cross from the left hand side found the experienced forward.

The Dabbers started the second period well, but it was Buxton who created a great chance for a third. Hardy somehow scooped the ball over the bar from six yards after good work from Jude Oyibo down the right.

Jaaskelainen made another fine save soon after as he superbly blocked Diego De Girolamo’s effort after the forward was found unmarked in the Dabbers box.

Buxton were the team looking more likely to score and Hardy clipped the outside of the post after the Dabbers gave the ball away inside their own half, before the forward then had an effort chalked off for offside.

Dabbers’ boss Cooke made three substitutions as Joe Mwasile, Ricardo Fuller and Callum Saunders were all introduced.

Saunders was involved straight away as his cut back found Glover but the forward was unable to get his shot away.

The former Crewe man was then close to an effort on goal as Morgan’s through ball found the forward on goal but as he was set to pull the trigger, Nico De Girolamo took the ball away with a well timed tackle.

From the resulting corner Joel Stair rose unmarked but could only head over the crossbar as the Dabbers were unable to find an equaliser late on and remain in fourth spot in the league.

Nantwich Town: Jaaskelainen, Morgan, Bourne, Stair, Mullarkey (Saunders 72?), Hughes, Lawrie, Walsh (Mwasile 69?), Malkin (Fuller 71?), Glover, Cotterell. Subs not used: Boyle, Hawkins (GK)

Match report written by Steve Sharman (www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk)