Nantwich Town lost 5-1 to a Crewe Alexandra XI in a hastily arranged pre-season friendly at the Weaver Stadium.
League Two Crewe were keen to give some of their squad players a run out, and the Dabbers duly obliged as they continue final preparations for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League kick-off on August 18.
Crewe fielded a mixture of senior and Under 23 players, while Nantwich Town fielded a first team captained by Caspar Hughes.
David Neligwa scored his first goal for the first-team in reply for Nantwich Town.
Crewe took the lead on 40 minutes in an even first half in which the Dabbers had plenty of possession. They were punished by Lewis Reilly’s smart finish.
The visitors doubled the lead three minutes after the break when Brad Walker’s looping effort deceived Nantwich’s triallist in nets.
Then four minutes later, the Alex sealed the win with a third when Oli Finney pounced on hesitant defending to slot home in composed fashion.
Nantwich scored on 58 minutes when substitute Neligwa, who only came on a few minutes before, raced clear to fire through Garratt’s legs.
The Dabbers pressed hard for the next 20 minutes and made life uncomfortable for Crewe’s back line.
But hopes of a come back ended in the 87th minute when Walker scored his second when he fired home a rebound in the box from close range.
Reilly added a fifth and his second from the penalty spot just before the end.
Nantwich Town’s final pre-season game is this Saturday August 11 (3pm kick-off) away at Leek Town.
The Dabbers first league match is at home to Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday August 18 (3pm kick-off).
Nantwich Town: Trialist A, Troy Bourne, Trialist B, Joel Stair, Clayton McDonald, Toby Mullarkey, Joe Mwasile, Caspar Hughes (captain), Danny Glover, Jimmy Lawrie, Aaron Knight. Subs: Joe Malkin, Matt Ellson (GK),Craig Lindfield, Jordan Davies, Niall Cope, David Neligwa, Nathan Cotterell, Declan O’Riordan.
Crewe Alexandra XI: Ben Garrett, Travis Johnson, Michael Raynes, Brad Walker, Luke Offord, Owen Dale, Josh Lundstram, Oli Finney, Joe Lynch, Lewis Reilly, Regan Griffiths. Subs: Billy Sass-Davies, Abdul Djlo.
(pics by Jonathan White)
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