Nantwich Town bowed out of the Integro League Cup after a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Chasetown FC at a wet and windy Weaver Stadium, writes James Brown.
The Dabbers had taken the lead after 39 minutes when a Joe Malkin shot was blocked and fell for Steve Jones who turned past Chasetown keeper Curtis Pond and slotted home.
But in stoppage time in the first-half, the referee awarded the visitors a penalty following a collision in the box which William Whieldon smashed down the middle to equalise.
In the shootout, it was Chasetown keeper Pond who made himself the hero, saving Malkin and James Lawrie penalties with two superb saves before Jacob Lovatt stepped up and scored to send Chasetown into the next round.
Dabbers manager Dave Cooke made wholesale changes from the side which beat Whitby Town 4-1 on Saturday, bringing in Declan O’Riordan and Niall Cope while Joel Stair, Caspar Hughes, Callum Saunders and Will Jaaskelainen were rested.
Chasetown who handled the conditions better in the opening stages, with a header from Jonathan Beaumont forcing a smart stop from returning Dabbers keeper Fabian Spiess.
Beaumont was perhaps lucky to remain on the pitch 16 minutes in following a reckless challenge on Sean Cooke however the referee only showed a yellow card.
Beaumont again had a golden opportunity to give Chasetown the lead after 25 minutes when a loose ball fell for him inside the box however a poor effort was dragged wide.
At the other end, Steve Jones beat his man on the right and forced Curtis Pond into a fine save.
Jones was to be denied once more on the half hour but his persistence was soon to pay off six minutes before half-time.
A Joe Malkin shot was blocked and fell kindly allowing the Dabbers winger to turn past Pond and slot home for 1-0.
Chasetown pressed in the closing stages of the first half, with a good stop from Spiess down low to his right before a collision in the box allowed Whieldon to equalise from the spot.
Dabbers produced some decent opportunities to re-take the lead after the break.
Jones almost pulled off an identical goal to the opener, attempting to take a Malkin pass around Pond but a heavy touch took him away from goal.
Pond made a wonderful save seven minutes into the second half, somehow getting to a Sean Cooke rocket destined for the top corner.
Heavy rain caused some real problems as the second half progressed with standing water disrupting the game.
Some sloppy play at the back from O’Riordan allowed Muzzy Nduna a good look on goal on the hour mark, however Spiess was there to frustrate the visitors.
James Lawrie, Danny Glover and Aaron Knight all came on for Nantwich.
Harry Cain headed down a Cooke pass into the path of Glover who curled a well struck effort just around the post.
A double Chasetown block to deny O’Riordan and Troy Bourne was the last proper chance for either side as the game ended level.
In the shootout, despite Glover converting his spot kick, saves from Pond to keep out Malkin and Lawrie allowed Jacob Lovatt the chance to send Chasetown into the next round and he slotted into the bottom corner as the Dabbers bowed out.
Nantwich can now focus on the FA Cup on Saturday as National League North side Blyth Spartans travel to the Weaver Stadium (3pm kick-off).
Nantwich Town: Fabian Spiess, Jamie Morgan, Nathan Cotterell (James Lawrie 48’), Declan O’Riordan, Troy Bourne, Niall Cope, Joe Mwasile (Aaron Knight 75’), Steve Jones (Danny Glover 66’), Joe Malkin, Sean Cooke (c), Harry Cain. Subs not used: Will Jaaskelainen (GK), Sam Croft
(Pics courtesy of Jonathan White)
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