Mickleover Sports 2
Nantwich Town 1
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Nantwich Town were unable to stage another late comeback as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away at Mickleover Sports.

It was the Dabbers who struck first early on but were undone by two goals for the hosts. Captain Caspar Hughes fired Nantwich into a ninth minute lead after pinching the ball off his man and drilling his shot into the bottom corner.

It was what Nantwich deserved with Ricardo Fuller and Sean Cooke causing plenty of problems for Mickleover.

But the hosts were level against the run of play on 18 minutes. Stuart Beavon took aim from 25 yards out and hit fine strike which gave Dabbers keeper Greg Hall no chance.

Nantwich continued to pose the greater threat after the break.

On the hour, Mickleover had a decent claim for a penalty but as the referee waved away the claims, Nantwich broke and Cooke went close with an effort over the bar.

Three minutes later came the decisive moment which earned Mickleover Sports all three points. Nantwich defended well at a corner, but the ball fell to Beavon who bundled it over the line from close range.

It could have been 3-1 moments later when Beavon could have completed a hat-trick but planted his header past the far post from a quick ball across the box.

Hughes and Fuller (pictured) went close to a leveller for Nantwich before Joe Mwasile had the best effort on 83 minutes. His shot looked destined to go in but Broome dived on it on the line and the hosts clung on to their lead.

Cooke had one final effort in the injury time, which was well saved by Broome and Nantwich were beaten.

The defeat leaves Nantwich in eighth place in Bet Victory Northern Premier League, on 34 points from 21 games, just three points outside the play-offs.

Match report written by the Nantwich News