Nantwich Town draw 1-1 with Stourbridge in pre-season clash

A goal in each half split the teams as Nantwich Town drew with BetVictor Southern Premier Central League side Stourbridge FC, writes Jonathan White.

It was the Dabbers penultimate pre-season friendly at the Weaver Stadium yesterday (August 3)

Nantwich took the lead in the first-half when Jamie Reed played a quick one-two with Sean Cooke, who’s perfectly weighted ball put Reed through to slot under the Stourbridge keeper.

Stourbridge equalised in the 69th minute of the second-half when a mistake at the back for Nantwich Town saw Aaron Lloyd score for the Glassboys.

Nantwich Town’s final pre-season fixture is Saturday August 10 (3pm kick off) at the Weaver Stadium when they entertain BetVictor Northern League – South East Division side Leek Town.

The Dabbers’ first BetVictor Northern Premier Division fixture is at home versus Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday August 17.

Meanwhile, Nantwich have re-signed former defender Ben Harrison.

The centre-half was most recently with Altrincham, where he spent two seasons after leaving the Weaver Stadium at the end of the 2016-17 season.

Ben began his career in the Cheshire League for Barnton and Lostock Gralam before making the step up to Northern Premier Division level for Witton Albion.

He switched allegiances over Cheshire to join Nantwich before a short spell with AFC Telford.

However, he came back to the Weaver Stadium and spent the tail-end of the 2014-15 campaign with new manager Phil Parkinson, and the following two years.

Upon his arrival back at the Weaver in 2015, Ben scored a crucial goal against Whitby Town that secured Nantwich’s Northern Premier Division status, before two excellent seasons where Nantwich reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy in 2015-16, and the Northern Premier Division play-0ffs in 2016-17.

The 2016-17 campaign may be particularly memorable for Ben, as not only did he enjoy a solid season in defence, he also bagged the Dabbers’ goal of the season award for a stunning finish against Stourbridge in the FA Cup.

(pics by Jonathan White)