Nantwich Town held to 2-2 draw at home by Barwell

Nantwich Town were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Barwell at the Weaver Stadium.

The visitors snatched the lead with their first sight of goal as Callum Ball tapped in a rebound on 21 minutes.

The Dabbers drew level on the stroke of half time thanks to a superb effort from Andy White.

After the break, Nantwich were punished for missing chances by another clinical finish from Barwell’s Brady Hickey on 58 minutes.

But Dabbers pressure told as Matt Bell fired home six mintues from time to earn a point.

Phil Parkinson, who sat in the stand serving a one-match ban, made two changes as Ryan Brooke and Wayne Riley replaced Khaellem Bailey-Nicholls and Steve Jones.

Top scorer Sean Cooke returned after 10 games out with a broken bone in his foot.

The first proper attempt on goal came when Brady Hickey trickled a weak shot wide of Dan Gyollai’s goal.

Wayne Riley had the Dabbers’ first shot as he worked some space on the right and curled straight at Canaries keeper Liam Castle.

The game burst into life on 20 minutes when Barwell took the lead.

Luke Barlone found space on the left and drilled a shot on goal.

Gyollai could only parry and onrushing Ball was waiting to tap home.

Barwell threatened a second as Barlone almost got a clean connection on a cross from the left.

Ben Harrison was forced off with an injury on 25 minutes, replaced by Joel Stair.

And the hosts started to fight back and get a foothold in the game.

From a corner, the ball fell to Abadaki and he fired a shot on goal that deflected just over.

A minute later, Bell worked space on the left and crossed for Hancock, but his header went over.

Bell went close from another corner as he flicked a low ball wide of Castle’s near post.

The Dabbers finally made the breakthrough with the last kick of the half.

White, who recently played his 200th game for the club, created space on the right and bent a superb effort into the top corner.

Early in the second half, Stair went close but couldn’t keep his effort on target.

After missing several chances, the Dabbers were punished when Barwell went ahead.

A free kick dropped to Hickey on the box who made no mistake from close range, firing into the bottom corner.

Nantwich once again looked for a response, but the Barwell back line was keeping them at bay despite some increasing pressure.

With 20 minutes left, Neil Sorvel turned brought on Cooke for Riley.

He almost had an instant impact, as he swivelled on the edge of the box and shot just wide.

Hancock went close as Abadaki played him in on the edge of the box.

His curling attempt went a yard over the bar.

Steve Jones came on 12 minutes from the end.

And the Dabbers’ perseverance paid off when they equalised six minutes from time.

More good play on the edge of the box from Cooke fed Brooke.

He forced a good save out of Castle, but the ball fell for Bell, who slammed home the rebound.

The Dabbers pushed for a winner and had one final chance to snatch all three points as the ball fell inside the box to goalscorer Bell.

This time though he couldn’t beat Castle, shooting straight at him as the chance to win the game came and went.

Nantwich Town: Dan Gyollai, Andy White, Ibou Touray, Curtis Jones, Ben Harrison(Joel Stair, 25), Sam Hall(c), Josh Hancock, Wayne Riley(Sean Cooke, 70), Ryan Brooke, Matt Bell, Osebi Abadaki(Steve Jones, 78). Unused subs: Joe Mwasile, Khaellem Bailey-Nicholls

(pictures courtesy of Jonathan White)