Davis still optimistic

10:21am Thursday 21st August 2008

BOSS Steve Davis feels Nantwich will adapt to life in UniBond Premier.

Despite losing their opener at Hednesford on Tuesday night, he feels his lads showed enough to prove they can cope with the step up.

“A couple of errors have cost us but I have to be honest and say I thought we were the better side overall,” he said.

“I cannot fault the performance and we were unlucky not to have taken something from the game.

“Hednesford look a decent side but Pete and I have told the lads that we must go to Worksop on Saturday taking all the positives from this game.

“If they do that, there is no reason why we can’t return with a point at the very least.”

Defensive errors proved costly as early as the sixth-minute when former Vale forward Louis Briscoe was allowed to burst into the box and fire the ball beyond Lee Jones.

Both Mickey Lennon and Robin Gibson had decent chances to respond before another lapse was punished on 34 minutes.

Brisco’s strike partner Ross Dyer raced down the left unchallenged before netting in some style.

Brock was in fine form at the other end, denying Lennon once again before half-time.

With a two-goal cushion, Hednesford sat back but remained dangerous on the counter.

Sub Adam Beasley went close from a free-kick while Ash Carter forced Brock into a stunner late on.

The hosts also cleared a last-gasp effort off the line as Nantwich ended the game with some vigour.

The Dabbers entertain Prescot Cables on Bank Holiday Monday.

Nantwich: Jones, Taylor, Tickle, Tinson, O'Loughlin, Parkinson, Carter, Blackhurst, Gibson (Beasley 76), Lennon (Walker 74), Heler (Shotton 55).