Nantwich Town suffered their worst defeat of the season with a 4-0 thumping by Stalybridge Celtic at the Swansway Stadium, writes Liam Price.
And Dabbers manager Ritchie Sutton questioned the character of his squad after the game.
He said: “They have the ability but they need to be able to do the dirty stuff. I don’t think some of them understand what this club means to the fans.”
It came after immense efforts by fans and volunteers early on Saturday morning to clear the pitch of snow and ice.
It allowed the pitch to pass two inspections and was the only match to be on in the local area while games higher up the pyramid at Chester and Crewe Alex could not be saved.
An early Adam Dawson snapshot was saved by former Dabbers goalkeeper Greg Hall, before Dawson hit a free kick into the wall.
Jack Sherratt was then twice denied by an offside flag, once in setting up a chance and another when finishing off a nice Nantwich move.
The Dabbers had started strongly but had nothing to show for it. That allowed Stalybridge to grow into the game.
Ciaran Summers tried from range to open the scoring and it was deflected narrowly wide, before Celtic debutant Djavan Pedro headed the subsequent corner straight at Tom Booth.
A nervy moment from Booth saw Theo Bailey-Jones fire just wide after receiving his mishit clearance.
But at the break there was nothing to separate the sides. That didn’t last long once the second half started.
That man Pedro marked his debut with a goal, bundling in a ball unmarked from close range following slack Nantwich defending.
It got better for Stalybridge 10 minutes later.
Chris Dagnall charged through on goal, the Dabbers defence thrown off by an offside man and Booth’s minor hesitation was enough for Dagnall to poke it under him for 0-2.
The Dabbers’ best chance to reduce the deficit came only moments after.
Hall was out of his goal to clear, conceded possession and Sherratt blasted over with the goal gaping.
An error from Booth gave Stalybridge their third.
A shanked clearance went to Bailey-Jones who put it into an empty net.
Bailey-Jones has now scored in both fixtures against Nantwich this season.
The fourth goal was the pick of the bunch.
Kyle Harrison finished brilliantly to complete the Dabbers’ collapse.
Nantwich sub Levi Chiduku was denied a consolation when his close range effort remarkably tipped over by Hall late on.
The Dabbers’ capitulation was also Stalybridge’s jubilation as their hardy travelling fans sang themselves hoarse into the cold night.
(Pictures by Jonathan White)
Very disappointing result,the first 20 minutes was promising, but after that Nantwhich were largely second best,I am no expert, but the tactics of repeatedly playing the ball out from the back was ridiculous, and cost us two goals and put us under repeated pressure throughout the game.
The team is not good enough to play from the back,we need some bigger players in midfield who can hold the ball up and a proven goal scorer to get Nantout of this relegation battle