Nantwich Town 2
Mickleover Sports 3
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Nantwich Town’s bid for promotion suffered a setback as they endured a rare home defeat at the Weaver Stadium. Relegation-threatened Mickleover Sports caused a real upset with their 3-2 win which leaves the Dabbers too far behind in the automatic promotion chase.

And with teams behind able to close in with a game in hand, Dave Cooke’s side now have to focus on securing their play-off position.

It started well for Nantwich when they took the lead in the 16th minute from the penalty spot. Fine link-up play between Sean Cooke, Caspar Hughes and Callum Saunders create an opening before Saunders was tripped in the box. Cooke smashed the spot-kick against the upright but Saunders reacted smartly to turn in the rebound.

However, the visitors showed the spirit by levelling just four minutes later. Louis Barnes switched off at the back post and a deep cross allowed Jack Storer to rise highest and power a header home for 1-1.

Five minutes later Mickleover almost took the lead when a Mason Warren free-kick cannoned back off the bar with Lloyd Allinson left beaten.

Nantwich regained the lead on 31 minutes against the run of play. Hughes’ low driven effort was saved by King but Saunders was again quickest to react and headed into an open net.

Then the hosts suffered a crazy two-minute spell just before half-time which gifted the visitors two quick-fire goals.

The Dabbers fall asleep at the back when a long ball ran all the way through to James Baxendale who fed across for Garnett to finish past Allinson.

And just two minutes later, Mickleover were in front when substitute Jiri Boula was allowed to carry the ball into the Nantwich box unchallenged and fired into the bottom right corner.

Nantwich improved after the break as they applied pressure on their opponents. Danny Glover went close with a glancing header just wide, and James Lawrie’s effort looked goalbound but for a fine last ditch block.

Former Stoke City favourite Ricardo Fuller (pictured) came off the subs’ bench on 73 minutes.

Saunders had a chance to complete is hat-trick on 84 minutes as he latched on to a Glover cross but could only head straight at a grateful keeper.

And Fuller almost snatched a late equaliser as showed fine skill to create space but his effort was well saved by King.

It was the last good chance for Nantwich as Mickleover grabbed all three precious points in their battle to avoid the drop.

Nantwich remain in fourth place on 66 points, eight clear of the teams just outside the play-offs but having played a game more.

Match report written by the Nantwich News