Dabbers stay in third despite two defeats (From Crewe Guardian)

Dabbers stay in third despite two defeats

2:20pm Thursday 9th April 2009

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Nantwich Town 1 Hednesford Town 3.

THE Dabbers went down to their second home defeat in the space of four days – again to another of their promotion play off rivals.

Meanwhile, Nantwich fielded a changed line up from the one that lost to Guiseley at the weekend – midfielder Glyn Blackhurst (ankle) making a surprise return but managing to complete a full game whilst Rodney Jack was also a surprise starter - completing 65 minutes before tiring.

The visitors were on the front foot for much of the time and took the lead from a corner when Tyrone Barnett rose to squeeze the ball between Glyn Blackhurst and O’Loughlin with a downward header.

As far as Nantwich were concerned the second half was largely a non event. Energy levels appeared low and The Dabbers appeared nervous for the most part, making glaring errors that was eventually to cost them the match.

But Nantwich did carve out an opening in the 54th minute when O’Loughlin went up for a corner but despite an on target header Hednesford custodian Stuart Brock had no difficulty in making the save.

Two minutes later, The Pitmen went further ahead when Draper squeezed the ball in at the far post.

An 84th minute own goal by Hednesford midfielder Tom Marshall provided Nantwich with a fortuitous lifeline but the Dabbers were second best throughout the majority of the second half.

Durrell was presented with a comfortable opportunity to add a third three minutes from normal time – and he did.

Head coach Steve Davis commented: “Because of where we are in the league, fear has suddenly crept into our game whilst fluency has gone out of it.

“I thought we were slightly the better side in the first half but in the second period we were again poor. In comparison with Hednesford we looked sapped of energy and just like the Guiseley match our passing was way below standard.

“After going on such a fantastic unbeaten run (22 games) we now find ourselves having to regroup and this couldn’t have happened at a worse time.”

Despite back-to-back defeats Nantwich remain third in the table but have no match this weekend before Easter Monday’s tough away encounter with promotion contenders FC United at Gigg Lane (3pm).

Two days later (Wednesday 15 April) Nantwich return to the Weaver Stadium where they face another promotion contender in second placed Ilkeston Town (7.45pm).

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