Two late goals from Danny Glover ensured an amazing turnaround at the Flamingo Land Stadium as Nantwich Town fought back to beat Scarborough Athletic, writes Ryan Batty.
Scarborough put on the pressure from the first whistle, and they broke the deadlock after 27 minutes when Wayne Brooksby was played through and slid it under Fabian Spiess’ outstretched arm.
The Dabbers responded and Glover netted the equaliser with seven minutes of the half remaining, after slamming home Toby Mullarkey’s ball across the box.
But moments later Michael Coulson found James Walshaw in behind the defence, and the striker slotted home for 2-1.
The Dabbers had the best of the second half, but it looked like time would be running out before Glover netted Jimmy Lawrie’s superb delivery from the right.
And with four minutes to go, Glover claimed his hat-trick with a superb header past Tommy Taylor.
Scarborough had the first opportunity after just one minute when Walshaw was played in and attempted to stab the ball home but was denied by Nantwich’s clearance.
The Dabbers had their first chance after 14 minutes. Morgan made a driving run onto the edge of the Scarborough area, and put the ball in low for Glover, but the forward was unable to get a shot away.
Glover had another chance a moment later as a free-kick into the area was headed towards goal but wide.
Mullarkey headed against his own bar as he attempted to head away Coulson’s cross.
However, Scarborough did not have to wait long before going ahead.
Despite shouts for offside, Brooksby was played in through the defence and was able to slide it past Spiess for the first of the game.
Nantwich livened up and played some neat and tidy football in the middle, though Glover wasn’t quite able to convert Joe Mwasile’s first-time cross on 31 minutes.
The equaliser was deserved on 38 minutes as Louis Barnes’ superb run saw the left-back lay it off to Mullarkey. His low, driven cross into the box reached Glover, who took a touch before firing it past Taylor.
But on the stroke of half-time, Scarborough’s Coulson played in Walshaw who was able to put it past Spiess to give Scarborough the lead at the interval.
At the break, Aaron Knight was replaced by Nathan Cotterell.
On 54 minutes, Glover found the ball on the right before cutting into the box. He crossed for Nathan Cotterell who could not quite get his head on it.
With 22 minutes remaining, Scarborough should have sealed the win but Coulson couldn’t get to the ball as it came to him low and driven across the box.
And the hosts were made to pay.
Nantwich began to exert more pressure and the equaliser came as Lawrie’s brilliant delivery found Glover at the far post, who made no mistake with a tidy finish to make it 2-2.
And the Dabbers now had the momentum and they piled on the pressure in search of the winner.
It came in the 86th minute when Glover headed home a lovely effort to complete the comeback.
The Dabbers defended well to stop Scarborough’s long punts into their box and they held on to claim a notable scalp.
Nantwich are on their travels again this week, as they make the relatively shorter trip to Stalybridge Celtic for a 7.45pm kickoff on Tuesday (October 2).
They return to the Weaver Stadium next Saturday (October 6) to host Farsley Celtic.
Nantwich: Spiess, Morgan, Barnes, Stair, Mullarkey, Hughes (C), Mwasile (Saunders 69′), Lawrie, Glover (Malkin 90′), Cooke, Knight (Cotterell 45′)
Subs not used: Bourne, Hawkins (GK)
(Pic: courtesy of Nantwich Town TV)
Recent Comments