Nantwich Town 3
Lancaster City 2
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Nantwich Town held on for a 3-2 win at the Weaver Stadium after defending a late fight-back by visitors Lancaster City.

Five goals were scored during an exciting, yet emotional afternoon following the untimely death of loyal supporter and junior coach Paul Springthorpe. A minute’s applause was dedicated to him before kick off.

Two goals in the first 10 minutes by Nantwich’s Joe Malkin and Lancaster’s Bradley Carsley led to an exciting start.

Two more goals in the first half by Luke Walsh gave Nantwich a 3-1 lead at half time, and despite Lancaster’s best efforts including a late goal by Paul Dawson, Nantwich held on for victory.

After a poor few opening minutes dominated by head-tennis, Nantwich took an early lead in the fifth minute when a long ball over the top was latched onto by Malkin.

The centre forward controlled it well, pulled it back past the sliding defender and slotted it coolly past the keeper to make it 1-0.

Despite the positive start, the lead didn’t last long. Some poor defending by the Dabbers gave Brad Carsley the time to compose himself and slot the ball into the bottom corner to bring the scores level.

Nantwich took control of the game and regained the lead in the 14th minute with some lovely link up play between James Lawrie and Luke Walsh. Lawrie slipped winger Walsh through who chipped the ball over the oncoming keeper brilliantly (pictured) to give the Dabbers a 2-1 lead.

The home side’s domination continued, and they extended their lead on the stroke of half-time. Walsh grabbing his second with a neat finish on the near post on the left-hand side after a great drive through the middle and pass by Matty Devine.

The second half was scrappy with fewer clear cut chances. Half-time substitute Sean Cooke had Nantwich’s best effort from a free kick which was deflected out for a corner.

The game came alive in the last 10 minutes, and Lancaster gave themselves a way back into the match in the 85th minute. A corner wasn’t cleared by Nantwich and Paul Dawson drilled the ball low through a number of bodies to make it 3-2.

Rowan Roache looked to have levelled for the visitors minutes later, but his volley was brilliantly saved by man of the match Greg Hall to maintain the Dabbers’ lead.

Nantwich held on into six minutes of added time as the referee blew his whistle for Nantwich to secure their third win on the spin.

Nantwich Town: Greg Hall, Joe Davis, Matty Devine, Ben Harrison, Josh Langley, Caspar Hughes (C), James Lawrie, Matt Bell, Joe Malkin (Valdemar Schousboe 90+6), Luke Walsh, David Webb (Sean Cooke 46 (Joel Stair 89)). Unused Substitutes: Troy Bourne, Joe Mwasile

Match report written by Conor Cockcroft (www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk)