By James Briscoe
Nantwich Town succumbed to an aerial barrage from lowly Stocksbridge as they were thumped 5-2.
Park Steels’ towering striker Danny South ran riot as the Dabbers’ winning run came to an abrupt end.
South’s heading ability proved too hot to handle for a below-par away defence last night (April 23) as the hosts scored four of their five goals inside the six-yard box.
In-form Nantwich started well and Joe Guest and Harry Clayton nearly scored from long range.
Striker Clayton gave Nantwich the lead on 17 minutes with a close-range header when Guest’s free-kick was headed back across goal by Ryan Dicker.
But Dabbers dominance was checked just seven minutes later when Stocksbridge centre back Nick Swirad, headed an equaliser from a Chris Bettney corner.
The leveller gave the hosts more belief to push up and pressure Niall Maguire and Oliver Devenney in Nantwich’s midfield.
Steels’ captain Richard Haigh headed against the bar and over on 28 minutes, before South nodded home from a long throw which should have been cleared in the 31st minute.
South continued to dominate every ball in the air, and Nantwich were lucky not to give away a penalty on two occasions.
Firstly, Maguire looked to handle the ball before right-back Aaron Cole brought down South in the penalty area.
Both appeals were waved away by the referee.
But just two minutes after the restart, Steels extended their lead when South nodded down for Tommy Agus to tap in.
Clayton continued to threaten up from for Nantwich, but as they built pressure looking for a way back they fell 4-1 down when an unchallenged Nicky Darker finished with aplomb from the edge of the area on 61 minutes.
Five minutes later, Haigh capitalised on the Dabbers’ inability to clear a corner poking in to make it 5-1.
Nantwich’s hardcore fans saw the funny side, singing “we’re gonna beat you 6-5”.
And they were offered some consolation when Kyle Wilson made it 5-2 with a tap in on 76 minutes after Scott parried a Chris Bailey pile-driver.
Wilson also went close one-on-one but Scott stood up well to save, and on 83 minutes Tom Bentham was free on goal but his tame effort was easily saved.
Stocksbridge also cleared off the line twice in the final minute, but the result was never in doubt by that point.
Nantwich: Brain, Cole, Bailey, Devenney, Raglan (c) (Moss 56), Dicker, Hudson, Maguire. Wilson, Clayton (Lane 66), Guest (Bentham 51). Subs: Hughes, Foster.
(pic by Simon J Newbury)
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