Nantwich Town started 2015 with an excellent 3-2 win over Ramsbottom United at the Weaver Stadium, writes Richard Scott.
A brace from Aaron Burns and one from Steve Jones gave the Dabbers the the win after Jon Robinson had open the scoring for Ramsbottom.
The visitors were also reduced to ten men in the first half, Gary Stopforth receiving his marching orders.
Adam Jones was ruled out with a back injury and was replaced by new signing Ben Harrison.
Their other new signing Nicky Platt was among the subs.
Nantwich could have taken the lead inside 40 seconds when Iain Howard shot straight at Grant Shenton.
But on 14 minutes, Ramsbottom took the lead when Shaun Dowling hit a weak back pass to Terry Smith.
Robinson picked up the ball before rounding Smith and firing home.
Jordan Hulme then forced Smith into a fine save following a cross from Abadaki.
But Nantwich defended strongly after that, with debutant Ben Harrison having an excellent game.
Just after the half-hour mark, Nantwich were level when a corner was parried by Shenton straight to Burns who slammed the ball home.
Seven minutes later Nantwich were ahead when Andy White hit a shot from outside the area, and Steve Jones was on hand to divert the ball into the net.
Nantwich had their tails up towards half time with Mat Bailey going close from a corner from Howard.
Ramsbottom went down to 10 men just before the break as Stopforth caught Bailey with his studs up after the Nantwich vice captain had played the ball.
Four minutes into the second half, Burns could have had his second goal when with his back to the goal, he was able to turn and get his shot away but off target.
Steve Jones could have made it 3-1 when his shot was just wide after Howard made a storming run into the Ramsbottom half.
There was a moment of worry for Nantwich fans when the ball smacked captain Mark Jones in the face, but after treatment he was able to continue.
On the hour mark it was 3-1 to the Dabbers as Steve Jones teed up Burns who hit a bullet of a strike into the far corner.
As the half ticked on, Nantwich continued to hold out as Steven Howson got behind but his shot was well smothered by Smith.
With 15 minutes to go, boss Danny Johnson made the first change as he brought off Mark Winslade for Matt Kosylo.
Kosylo could have scored with his first touch when White broke down the wing and crossed to the back stick. Kosylo headed goalwards but it was cleared.
Phil Dean had a number of chances for the visitors, including a free kick which was miscued.
At the other end Steve Jones should have added a fourth as he tried his luck from outside the area but it went wide.
Smith was on hand to save a Dean free kick as he pushed away the effort from just outside the area.
But with nine minutes to go, Dean finally found the net as the ref awarded the visitors a penalty following a foul by Bailey.
As the game hit injury time, Nicky Platt was brought on for his debut.
With time running out for the visitors Ramsbottom won a corner and sent up the keeper to try and salvage a point.
The ball was cleared and it fell to Burns who tried his luck from inside his own half but it was cut out for a corner by a covering defender.
The Dabbers are in action again on Saturday (January 3) as they visit Marine kick off is at 3pm.
Nantwich Town: Smith, Dowling, White, Pearson, Harrison, Bailey, S.Jones, M.Jones (C), Burns, Winslade and Howard. Subs: Harrop, Clayton, Kosylo (on for Winslade, 75 minutes), Platt (on for Steve Jones, 90+1 minutes) and Blake.
(All pictures courtesy of Simon J Newbury Photography)
Recent Comments