Nantwich Town keep promotion hopes on right track (From Crewe Guardian)

Nantwich Town keep promotion hopes on right track

2:14pm Friday 3rd April 2009

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Witton Albion 0 Nantwich Town 2

NANTWICH remain third in the Unibond Premier Division ahead of Saturday’s clash against promotion rivals Guiseley at the Weaver Stadium thanks to a 2-0 win at Witton.

Witton attacked at a furious pace from the whistle, forcing Nantwich to defend in numbers during the opening quarter-hour.

But despite the early onslaught, the Nantwich defence remained solid throughout the half, leaving Witton with only one clear opening when Darren Tinson cut out Brad Maylett’s shot.

At the other end, Witton keeper Greg Smith fumbled a looping Ashley Carter shot before making a brave stop to snatch the ball from the feet of Dave Whittaker inside the six-yard box.

The Dabbers finally took the lead when Carter fired home a great volley from Brian Pritchard’s clearance in the 47th minute.

Four minutes later, Nantwich went further ahead when Lennon scored his 29th goal of the season, the striker pouncing after Whittaker’s close range header deflecting off a Witton before rounding his marker and beating Smith.

Meanwhile, Witton gradually dropped their, at times, frenetic pace to leave Nantwich largely in control of the second half.

Dave Macpherson was a whisker away from adding a third from Carter’s inside pass, while Whittaker went even closer when his low shot was saved by Smith.

Witton continued to plug away but it was to no avail although Jones had to be alert to deny substitute striker Lee Thompson in the 87th minute whilst 2 minutes into added time strike partner Mike Moseley went close with a header that crept over the bar.

Nantwich: Jones, Smith, Tickle (Beeston 36), Tinson, O’Loughlin, Parkinson, Carter, MacPherson, Whittaker (Kinsey 83), Lennon, Gibson (Griggs 65). Subs not used: Jack, Hawthorne.

Bradford Park Avenue 0 Nantwich Town 0

NANTWICH were left feeling aggrieved after coming away from the Horsfall Stadium with nothing.

Dabbers had a good Michael Lennon goal ruled out in the 61st minute top deny them victory against their fellow promotion hopefuls.

In a crowded six-yard box Lennon’s persistence allowed him to find just enough space to beat the excellent Bradford keeper Jon Worsnop and drive a powerful shot into the roof of the net.

Despite clearly bulging the roof of the net before coming back out, neither referee nor assistant would accept the ball had crossed the line.

But if that was not enough, Nantwich were dealt a further blow when Lennon was hauled down in the area by a defender when clean through on goal. But despite appeals, referee Grundy would not yield.

Earlier, Worsnop had prevented Nantwich from taking an early lead when his sharp reaction save turned a powerful Dave Whittaker shot around his right-hand post.

Within a minute of the second half getting underway, Robin Gibson looked to be in with a great opportunity 10 yards from goal lost his footing as he shaped to shoot.

Dave Macpherson also went close with a shot that floated close to the angle of post and bar, while, at the other end, Dabbers keeper Lee Jones did well to tip away a blistering strike from Stamer.

Worsnop then denied both Gibson and Lennon before Lennon also went close with a shot from an angle that fizzed inches over the angle of post and bar.

Late on, substitute Andy Kinsey’s close-range header was denied by the brilliance of Worsnop and also hit a shot inches wide with Worsnop beaten.

Nantwich: Jones, Smith, Tickle, Tinson, O’Loughlin, Parkinson, Gibson, Macpherson, Whittaker, Lennon, Griggs. Subs: Hawthorne, Jack, Kinsey, Beeston, Blackhurst.

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