Nantwich Town earn hard-fought 1-0 victory over Whitby

Nantwich Town continue to pull themselves away from the relegation zone in Evo-Stik Premier League after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Whitby Town.

An early goal by Clayton McDonald was enough to earn all three points in front of more than 300 supporters at the Weaver Stadium.

The win moved the Dabbers up to 19th place, just behind Whitby, with three or four games in hand on most of the sides around them due to their FA Cup run.

But they had to rely on loanee keeper Will Jaaskelainen and some nervy defending to keep their goal intact yesterday.

Nantwich took the lead in the 4th minute when Matt Bell floated a free-kick into the box and the giant McDonald rose to power a header home.

Weledji proved to be the visitors’ dangerman, who brought several saves from Jaaskelainen.

Then on 33 minutes, Whitby earned a penalty when McWilliams burst into the box and was felled by Joe Mwasile.

But Tymon’s low spot-kick was well-saved by Jaaskelainen who dived to his left and stopped it with his legs.

It proved a crucial miss. Whitby huffed and puffed after the break but could never breakthrough Nantwich’s stubborn defence.

They went close in the final minute when a header from a kick-off rolled narrowly wide.

The Dabbers return to league action next Saturday November 25 when they welcome high-flying Shaw Lane to the Weaver Stadium.

Meanwhile, Nantwich have signed winger Curtis Strong who joins on a dual-registration from National League North side Tamworth.

Strong came through the youth ranks at Stoke city and joined AFC Telford United at the start of the season, before moving to the Lambs.

The 22-year-old can play at either at left-back or on the left wing and will provide manager Dave Cooke another option going forward.

(Pictures courtesy of Jonathan White)