Nantwich Town continued their pre-season preparations with an entertaining game against Blackpool which saw the League One side come out on top 2-1, writes James Brown.
The visitors were quick out of the blocks, catching the Dabbers defence cold with an early break down the left by Marc Bola who crossed Mark Cullen to head home from close range.
Despite the League One side looking dangerous going forward and looking comfortable on the ball, Nantwich were more than in the game playing good counter attacking football.
It led to the equaliser when Toby Mullarkey was hauled down in the box following a Jamie Morgan free-kick.
James Lawrie stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-1 at half-time.
Blackpool made an equally fast start to the second half and scored what turned out to be the winner five minutes in when Bola used quick feet to get past Joel Stair before finishing with a well struck effort.
Nantwich had chances to level once more with Lawrie and Jones seeing efforts go wide however it was the visitors who claimed the victory.
The Dabbers were missing Matt Bell and Danny Glover for the visit of the Seasiders as manager Dave Cooke included two trialists in the starting XI.
Blackpool’s squad contained mainly trialists with first team players Harry Pritchard, Mark Cullen and Max Clayton also involved.
Blackpool started the game very strongly, looking energetic going forward and took the lead inside five minutes when Bola’s cross picked Cullen who rose highest to head home.
The Dabbers had there first look on goal after 11 minutes when Joe Mwasile cut inside from the right but dragged his shot wide.
The visitors were the brighter of the two sides in the first half, causing a threat on both wings and from set-pieces with one corner being headed off the post by the centre half Trialist.
Slightly against the run of play after 22 minutes the Dabbers had the chance to equalise from the spot when Mullarkey was pulled to the floor by a defender after Morgan had whipped in a free-kick.
Lawrie stepped up and made no mistake sending goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi the wrong way.
Nantwich were impressive on the counter, and looked to catch Blackpool out when Lawrie’s long clearance found Mwasile who drove at the defence before attempting to feed Joe Malkin however a sliding interception cleared the danger.
Despite the Dabbers creating chances of their own, the League One side almost made it two before half-time, firstly being denied by a brilliant Will Jaaskelainen save as the stopper tipped Nick Anderton’s curling effort onto the bar, before Cullen had an effort cleared off the line.
Two changes were made by the Dabbers at the break as Clayton McDonald and Jordan Davies replaced the Trialists.
It was the visitors who started well again and regained the lead on 50 minutes when Bola used impressive trickery to beat Stair and fire past Jaaskelainen from just outside the six yard box.
A good chance for Nantwich to get back on level terms once more came six minutes later when Davies set up Lawrie just inside the box however the new man’s driven effort went a whisker wide of the left hand post.
Blackpool keeper Mafoumbi needed to be at his best to make two saves in quick succession with 20 minutes to go, first saving a rasping effort from Lawrie before denying Malkin at his near post.
Blackpool had an opportunity to get a two goal cushion when a cross to the back post was headed into the back of the net however referee Ben Atkinson ruled it out due to a push on Troy Bourne.
The final ten minutes were seen out by the visitors who prevented Nantwich from finding an equaliser and missed a few chances of their own, curling an effort wide before a header at the back post flew inches past the post.
An entertaining game at the Weaver and a great test for the Dabbers against opposition from a higher level.
Next up for Nantwich is the final home friendly before the season kicks off when West Midlands (Regional) League side Haughmond FC visit the Weaver on Tuesday evening (7:45pm kick-off).
Nantwich Town: Will Jaaskelainen, Jamie Morgan, Trialist (Clayton McDonald), Joel Stair (Declan O’Riordan), Troy Bourne, Toby Mullarkey, Trialist (Jordan Davies), Caspar Hughes (C), Joe Malkin (Harry Cain), James Lawrie (Ryan Allcock), Joe Mwasile (Steve Jones). Subs not used: James Hawkins (GK), Sam Wakefield, David Neligwa
(pics by jonathan white)
Recent Comments