Nantwich Town 2
Stafford Rangers 1
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Sean Cooke’s dramatic 95th minute winner completed an amazing late comeback for Nantwich Town in their Boxing Day clash with Stafford Rangers.

He seized on to a loose ball during a penalty box scramble and fired into the bottom corner to send the hone fans wild.

Two minutes earlier, Joel Stair’s header had levelled for Nantwich as they seemed to be heading for defeat against their local rivals.

A bumper Boxing Day audience braved the cold and rain at the Weaver Stadium for the league clash. The match was preceded by a minute’s applause to celebrate the life of beloved club stalwart Ivan Robertson.

Ex Stoke City favourite Ricardo Fuller started up front with Joe Malkin, and the Dabbers had most of the play in the first half.

Cooke had a couple of free kicks which were well saved of deflected away.

Malkin’s header from a corner went close as Nantwich pressed but could not break through before half-time. Meanwhile, Joe Davies had to head off the line for Nantwich in Stafford’s best attempt.

The visitors went ahead on 66 minutes against the run of play. Former Dabber Jon Moran managed to get on the end of an in-swinging cross from Grayson to power it past Greg Hall.

On 71 minutes Fuller almost levelled when substitute Joe Mwasile’s floated cross was headed firmly but hit the upright and bounced into the arms of Stafford stopper King.

Stafford were reduced to 10 men on 82 minutes when Coulson was sent off for a second bookable offence after pulling down Fuller who was leading a counter.

Five minutes of injury time went up and seemed to spur the Dabbers into action.

Will Saxon had a great chance to level on 91 minutes but planted a header wide. But two minutes later, Stair was left unmarked at far post and ghosted in to head the equaliser.

And then Cooke’s dramatic last second winner (pictured) completed a remarkable victory for Nantwich which leaves them in 8th place in Bet Victor Northern Premier League.

Nantwich Town: Hall, Offord, Devine, Davis (Saxon, 79) Langley, Stair, Lawrie (C), Webb, Malkin (Mwasile, 57), Cooke, Fuller (Saudners, 86)
Subs not used: Bourne, Griggs
Goals: Stair 90+3, Cooke 90+5?

Stafford Rangers: King (C), Green, Hill, Moran, D Burns, Harvey (J Burns, 51), Hawkins (Yonsian, 63), Coulson, Charles, Grayson (Davies, 86), Sherratt
Subs not used: Berks, White
Goal: Moran, 66
Red Card: Couslon, 82

Attendance: 508

Match report written by the Nantwich News