Nantwich Town unbeaten run ended in 2-0 defeat by Whitby

Nantwich Town fell to just their second home league defeat in their last 16 as they lost 2-0 against Whitby Town at the Weaver Stadium.

Phil Parkinson’s men had been protecting a 14 game unbeaten league run against the Seasiders who are on the edge of the play offs.

Parkinson was forced into a change with Ben Harrison missing through illness, with Curtis Jones coming back to start.

Joe Mwasile recovered from illness to return on the bench.

A crowd of 481 basked in bright sunshine, but late arrivals would have missed the opening goal.

The ball broke to David Carson on the edge of the Dabbers box, and his bobbly low shot evaded Dan Gyollai and crept into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later and it was almost two for Whitby, as a poor touch from Gyollai gave the ball to Anthony Bell.

Gyollai recovered well to block Bell’s first time shot.

The visitors looked quick and sharp, pressing the Dabbers high up the pitch and forcing mistakes.

Dale Hopson had two shots blocked, while Gyollai palmed a well-struck effort from the edge of the box away from goal.

Anthony Bell was booked after fouling Andy White and Adam Gell required treatment after colliding with a team mate.

Tom Peers had Nantwich’s first effort on 38 minutes when he shot well over the bar.

It summed up what had been a poor half for the Dabbers.

They emerged after the break with more purpose.

Matt Bell shot wide a minute in, an Michael Roberts was booked for a foul on Curtis Jones.

Vinny Mukendi came on for Tom Peers up front. White then pounced on a slip in the Whitby defence, but his goal bound effort was blocked and cleared away.

Mukendi had a weak header on goal, but it was gathered by Whitby keeper Shane Bland.

The visitors were still looking dangerous and a cross into the six-yard box by Hopson just missed Bell at the far post.

Mwasile was the next Dabbers change, as he came on for John Johnston.

The visitors grabbed a deserved second goal on 64 minutes when the Dabbers lost the ball in their own half.

A neat interchange between Whitby forwards saw the ball fall to Hopson on the edge of the box.

It sat up nicely and he fired into the top corner to put the Blues in control.

Sam Hall’s volley into the penalty area was flicked on by Jones and the ball was tipped over by Bland.

Steve Jones then came on for Josh Hancock, but Whitby were still looking superior as they looked to hit on the counter.

From one move, Hopson curled wide of goal from the edge of the box.

At the other end, Mukendi scuffed an effort well wide.

Whitby should have made it three late on after Carson and sub Anthony Hume broke 2-on-1.

Carson’s attempt to square the ball to a wide open Hume was superbly blocked by Curtis Jones, who stopped what looked to be a clear goal.

Sean Cooke had the last chance of the game as his close range shot lacked power and rolled straight to Bland.

It summed up the afternoon for the Dabbers, who had looked off the pace.

Nantwich Town: Dan Gyollai, Andy White, Ibou Touray, Joel Stair, Curtis Jones, Sam Hall©, John Johnston(Joe Mwasile, 60), Matt Bell, Tom Peers(Vinny Mukendi, 57), Sean Cooke, Josh Hancock(Steve Jones, 69). Unused subs: Wayne Riley, Ryan Brooke.

(Pics by Jonathan White)