Nantwich Town won an arranged friendly against Hanley Town 2-1 as both clubs prepare for FA Trophy and FA Vase games respectively, writes Jack Philip.
The Dabbers started the game excellently and after just six minutes they took the lead.
Ollie Pope was making his second appearance for the first team and when he raced into the box he took aim.
His shot cannoned off the post and fell kindly to Callum Parker who fired home from six yards out.
Hanley, who beat the Dabbers in a friendly earlier on in the season, had their first opportunity in the 29th minute when a cross from the left was headed wide by the big number ten who used to height to get to the ball first.
Ten minutes later, The Dabbers should have doubled their lead as substitute Luke Walsh played a perfectly weighted ball through to Joe Mwasile who fired straight at the keeper from just inside the area.
In the 32nd minute, Hanley had another opportunity as a cross came in, this time from the right, and after a scramble it fell to Joe Thompson who miss-hit his strike and it bobbled wide.
The Dabbers had two triallists in their side as an opportunity for manager Dave Cooke to look at some potential new signings.
Triallist “A” had an opportunity to mark his trial game with a goal as he got on the end of another fantastic through ball, however the shot was straight at the keeper who saved well once again.
Trialist “A” came close once again as he fired a shot from the left side off the outside of the post.
The Dabbers finished the half with a succession of opportunities.
In the 44th minute, Callum Saunders raced down the left before cutting in and firing towards goal, the keeper did well to save.
However, all he could do was palm it into the path of Luke Walsh whose first time shot crashed off the crossbar before falling back to Walsh who headed home from an offside position.
In the second-half it was a totally different team as Cooke made eight changes to give all his players a run out.
The second half side also included another trialist who looked to impress from the get go as he cut inside from the left and curled a shot towards the far post which it clipped and went behind.
Walsh was looking lively as he found Saunders in acres of space and as he cut inside from the left, he fired towards goal, however once again the keeper saved.
The rebound fell to Scott McGowan but he couldn’t get the ball under control as it went behind for a goal kick.
In the 66th minute, The Dabbers doubled their lead as David Webb raced down the right before getting to the by-line and cutting it back for Triallist “B” to fire home from close range.
Three minutes later, Hanley pulled a goal back thanks to former Dabber and Stoke City star Ricardo Fuller.
The 41-year-old picked up the ball in the centre circle and there was only one thing on his mind.
Dabbers keeper James Hawkins was a few paces off his line so Fuller lifted the ball over him and into the back of the net.
McGowan almost added a third for Nantwich as he got in behind and fired his strike low and hard but the keeper got down very well to save.
McGowan came close again as Triallist “B” did well down the right before finding the Nantwich striker, however McGowan’s strike was once again palmed away by the keeper.
In the 80th minute, Fuller saw Hawkins off his line once again and he tried to replicate his goal, however this time the Dabbers keeper was to back track enough to save easily.
Next up for The Dabbers is their Buildbase FA Trophy Second Round fixture away at either Witton Albion or Bamber Bridge on Tuesday night.
Nantwich have also signed former Altrincham winger Curtis Miller on a youth loan until January 9.
Cooke said: “Curtis has looked good when I’ve seen him play, we’re pleased to have him on board and I’m sure he will do very well for us.”
(Images courtesy of Jonathan White)
Recent Comments