Witton Albion 3 Nantwich Town 0

DESPITE having a fair share of chances there was no Christmas cheers for the Dabbers as they lost on Boxing Day.

A goal from Danny Andrews and one either side of half time for Jamie Rainford gave the Albion all three points in the Boxing Day derby.

It was a competitive opening to the game with Jamie Henders getting through for Witton but his shot was well off target.

The Dabbers had a few ventures into the Witton area and the main chance came when Burns broke down the wing before playing to Max Harrop. His strike was deflected wide of the goal for a corner, which was cleared by the Witton defence.

Danny Andrews opened the scoring on 12 minutes, dancing his way into the area and beating Smith at his near post to open the scoring.

Nantwich pressed, trying to find the equaliser, but the Albion back line held firm.

The Dabbers could have been level when a ball from Howard landed to Steve Jones but the winger couldn’t control it and the ball ran into the clutch of Robertson’s hands.

With the rain lashing down on the pitch, Harrop played in Burns after 28 minutes and his first time shot was just inches from going into the net.

Witton had created a few crossing chances but the Nantwich defenders had them under control.

Skipper Mark Jones nearly got his second goal of the season when he shot from inside the D but he miscued and dragged it wide of the goal.

Liam Gibson almost got a second for Witton when he ran into the area but his shot was straight down Smith’s throat.

Terry Smith was in fine form to deny Jamie Rainford after he broke through in the dying moments of the first half. The ‘keeper rushed out to narrow the angle against the former Marine and Chester forward, saving from point-blank range.

It was 2-0 to the Witton in the final minute of the half, when a weak kick from Terry Smith found Rainford. Despite Smith’s best efforts to recover, he was beaten by the follow-up shot.

Nantwich almost pulled one back right at the start of the second half when a corner from Howard fell to Harrop, who volleyed just over Robertson’s bar.

Whatever Danny Johnson said at half time had an effect on the Dabbers as they started the second half strong. Five minutes in Harrop sent Andy White through but his shot the side netting.

Mat Bailey was the first man into the book when he pulled down Henders about 35 yards out, the resulting free kick flashed just over Smith’s bar.

But the Nantwich number one had it covered. Howard almost caught Robertson out with a free kick as the wind assisted the set play but it drifted out for a goal kick.

On 56 minutes Witton made it 3-0 when Rainford broke through one-on-one with Smith and lobbed the keeper. It was a disappointing time to conceded as Nantwich had been the better side since the restart.

Howard will be wondering how he hadn’t scored on 59 minutes when a cross from Steve Jones fell to the former Witton midfielder but his header smashed the bar and went out for a goal kick.

Steve Jones then had a chance from a Howard corner as Nantwich looked for a way back in.

The hosts then rattled the bar from Clark from distance in his final act of the game as he was subbed off. Witton almost had a fourth from inside their own half as Henders spotted Smith off his line; the Dabbers keeper was scrambling but it was over the bar.

Rainford then hit the Dabbers bar as they looked to extend the lead.

Nantwich kept going but the pitch was causing havoc for both teams as the rain lashed down onto Wincham Park.

Sam Barnes was cautioned as he took out Steve Jones as he tried to advance down the byline in injury time It was a disappointing defeat for the Dabbers, with the weather an unhelpful intervention throughout.

Nantwich Town: Smith, Dowling, White, Pearson, A.Jones, Bailey, Harrop, M.Jones (C), Burns, S.Jones and Howard.

Subs: Koyslo (on for Harrop, 64 minutes), Winslade (on for Bailey, 71 minutes), Clayton, Blake and Hart. Attendance: 414