Mixed results as Nantwich Town U16 girls win but men beaten in cup by Congleton Vale

Nantwich Town’s new U16 girls side romped to a 4-0 victory against Crosfield Juniors U16s at the Malbank field, writes Ryan Batty.

But hours later, the men’s team were beaten 3-0 by Congleton Vale Rovers and knocked out of the Crewe & District FA Challenge Cup.

The U16s girls took the lead after 11 minutes as Libby Bulkeley’s corner came back to her, and she was able to dip the ball over the top of the Crosfield keeper into the bottom corner.

Crosfield’s best chance of the game up to that point was on 17 minutes as they advanced through on goal, muscling off a defender before smacking the post.

The visitors could have equalised on 25 minutes after a neat corner into the box, but the Dabbers’ goalkeeper made a superb block.

Nantwich could have extended their lead just before the break but their shot on goal was cleared off the line.

The Dabbers came firing out of the blocks in the second-half, grabbing their second after just four minutes.

A neat move allowed a good pull-back into the box, which resulted in Charlotte Davies pouncing on the loose ball, slamming it home.

Nantwich had more chances before adding a third on 55 minutes as their corner fell to Charlotte Wynn who fired home with a low-and-hard effort that found the bottom corner.

With eight minutes to go, Nantwich added their fourth.

An initial effort on goal was well-saved by the Crosfield keeper, but Davies fired home the rebound for her second of the morning.

Nantwich Town: Mia Gleave, Katie Belcher, Brodie Edge, Chloe Lloyd, Jess Higginbotham, Phoebe Watts, Libby Bulkeley, Georgia Lloyd, Charlotte Wynn, Laura Gibson, Charlotte Davies. Subs: Kayleigh Hart, Sophie Winward

Meanwhile, Cheshire League (Premier Division) side Congleton Vale Rovers beat Nantwich Town 3-0 in the Second Round of the Crewe & District FA Challenge Cup match at the Weaver Stadium.

The Nantwich Town team was a mixture of youth and non-contracted senior players, and they struggled against a strong Congleton outfit in gusty conditions.

The Dabbers were 1-0 down on 17 minutes thanks to a fine strike by Stan Tatters.

And things got worse for Nantwich, conceding a second on 26 minutes when they gave away a penalty. Damon Oakes converted the spot-kick.

Nantwich applied pressure after the break and had several chances not taken.

And the game was put to bed on 73 minutes when an unfortunate error by young keeper James Hawkins gifted Congleton’s third.

Nantwich Town: James Hawkins, Jake Phillips, Nathan Cotterell, James Lawrie, Clayton McDonald (captain), Jacob Lloyd Williams, David Neligwa, Joshua Hewitt, Danny Glover, Callum Saunders, Danny Griggs. Subs: Cobi Bateman, Ollie Hawkins (GK), Robert Pearson, Rylan Moreton, Declan Colclough.

The Dabbers next match is Saturday January 19 (3pm kick-off) away at Buxton in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.

(Pics by Jonathan White)