Whitby Town 2
Nantwich Town 1
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Nathan Cotterell’s first goal for Nantwich Town was not enough as the Dabbers were beaten 2-1 at Whitby Town on the Yorkshire coast.

The winger gave Nantwich the lead after 32 minutes when he intercepted a poor back-pass by Dan McWilliams to slide his effort under hosts’ goalkeeper Jack Norton.

However, the Seasiders equalised a few moments before the break as Matthew Tymon leapt above the defenders to head past Fabian Spiess, before Anthony Hume was played in behind the defence and was able to loft the ball into the net to complete the comeback.

Nantwich had the first chance of the game as Joe Mwasile was brought down on the edge of the area, earning the visitors a free-kick. Sean Cooke stepped up, but his effort was straight at Norton who was able to clutch it comfortably.

Cooke had another chance soon after, as Courtney Wildin’s tidy backpass saw the attacking midfielder take a low left-footed effort, but the shot was seen round the post.

The hosts had their first chance after 12 minutes when a ball across goal was almost turned in, but Jamie Morgan was there to steer it away.

Mwasile then made a great, driving run into the area from the right, and took a chance towards Norton, but the winger’s shot was blocked and cleared away.

However, the Dabbers wouldn’t have to wait too much longer to take the lead. In the 32nd minute Troy Bourne fired the ball forwards and after Harry Clayton flicked the ball on, McWilliams loose ball across the box was finished well by Cotterell.

Whitby responded as neat play from Tymon and Kyle Fryatt down the left saw the latter cross to Callum Patton whose low shot went inches past the post.

A minute before the break the hosts did have an equaliser as Tymon leapt highest to head Callum Martin’s right wing cross past Spiess.

The first chance of the second half came just before the hour mark as Tymon knocked the ball down to Junior Mondal whose snap shot from the edge of the box flew past the far post.

Cooke created an opportunity for the Dabbers two minutes later as his burst from midfield saw his shot fly over the crossbar.

But it would be Whitby to score when in the 66th minute, the ball was played in behind the defence by Lewis Maloney, and substitute Hume was there to loft it over Spiess.

Cotterell was forced to come off due to a recurring knock, to be replaced by Steve Jones. Jones almost had an immediate impact, as having cut in from the left his shot from the edge of the box was fumbled behind by Norton.

With ten minutes to go, Junior Mondal was put in on goal and the ex-Middlesbrough attacker attempted to take the ball round Spiess, but the keeper rushed out to take it from the forward’s feet.

The Dabbers made another change with five minutes to go, as Clayton McDonald replaced Joe Mwasile. And McDonald was close to equalising, as Jones’ cross into the box could have been turned in by the big man, but he hit it high over the bar (pictured) in the 87th minute.

It proved to be the last action of the game as the Dabbers couldn’t find the equaliser their long trip from Cheshire deserved.

Nantwich Town: Spiess, Morgan, Wildin, Stair, Bourne, Bell, Mwasile (McDonald 85), Hughes (C), Clayton, Cooke, Cotterell (Jones 69). Subs not used: Phillips, Boney (GK), Mullarkey

Match report written by Ryan Batty (www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk)