Nantwich Town continued their pre-season preparations with a good work-out against a competitive Alsager side, writes By Richard Scott.
The Dabbers were the better side early on with some neating passing and turns.
But the hosts took the lead on six minutes when Steve Phillips was beaten with a looping header.
On 11 minutes, Nantwich could have been level when a trialist broke through with the keeper challenging to clear the ball.
His weak kick fell to Steve Jones (pictured) but his shot was deflected wide of the open goal.
It should have been 2-0 to the hosts on 13 minutes when their number 10 broke one on one with Phillips but he screwed his shot wide of the goal.
On 15 minutes Steve Jones beat the offisde trap and waited an age to lob the keeper which went wide.
Jones made amends from the spot four minutes later.
Max Harrop was brought down in the box and the former Crewe Alex winger fired it in the spot-kick despite the keeper going the right way.
Harrop could have given the Dabbers the lead with a spectacular shot from outside the area after some neat passing which saw them carve the hosts open.
The Dabbers should have taken the lead seven minutes before half time when the trialist weaved his way through the defence but he fired his shot over the bar.
With a minute to go until the interval, Jones was brought down just outside the area. But Harrop’s free-kick went over.
Nantwich boss Danny Johnson made a couple of changes after the break, including bring the introduction of Jordan Johnson for Harrop.
The first 20 minutes of the second half, the Dabbers bossed the play with some great passing which opened the Alsager team.
And the possession finally paid off in the 75th minute when Johnson turned and slotted home past the keeper.
The Dabbers could have gone 3-1 up in the final couple of minutes when Cohan Bramell had a free kick which was well struck but it was comfortably saved by the keeper.
Nantwich Town: Phillips, Wilson, White, Blake, A.Jones, Bailey (capt), S.Jones, Callaghan, trialist, Lycett and Harrop.
(Pic courtesy of Nantwich Town FC)
Just for information, Alsagers No10 who was also the scorer of their goal, with a stunning well placed header! Was former Dabber Josh Lane