Nantwich Town made it through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Charnock Richard at the Swansway Stadium, writes Liam Price.
Paddy Kennedy made his first appearance of the season, and Fenton Green and Alex Panter returned to the team as Aidy Roxburgh missed out through injury.
Luke Jackson had the first shot of the game for the visitors from the North West Counties Premier, but could only hit straight at Ben Garratt.
The in-form Callum Saunders squandered two gilt-edged chances in the first half, hitting over the bar early on and sweeping another wide.
It was another milestone day for Saunders, however, as he made his 150th Nantwich appearance.
The opportunities kept coming for the Dabbers. Panter also cleared the crossbar with a presentable chance, as did Byron Harrison when he placed an effort beyond the far post.
Most of these were inside the first 15 minutes so could easily have marked the effective end of the tie by half-time.
Marcus Haydock floated a cross that took a touch behind from a Dabbers head to potentially stop it dropping in at the back post.
Green and Kelvin Mellor also had shots that missed the target.
Saunders was once again involved early in the second half, firing over the bar then perhaps making the wrong choice in shooting with Panter in space in the box.
But it was Harrison who finally took a chance in the 53rd minute, bundling in from close range after a move that will have disappointed the visitors.
A cross from the right from Josh Williams was fumbled by Hamer and Perry Bircumshaw tapped it across for Harrison to score his first of the season.
Kennedy headed off the top of the crossbar as Nantwich looked to make things more secure.
But Charnock’s best chance came arguably just minutes after this, when a deep free kick caused a little bit of confusion and the ball was poked wide.
It wasn’t Saunders’ day in front of goal, as was proved with his final chances before being subbed where he hit at Hamer after being cleverly played in, then heading the subsequent corner straight at him.
He was due one of these days with how he’s started but will surely back himself to get back on the scoresheet very soon.
Charnock dragged a shot wide then Panter tested Hamer once more.
The away side piled more bodies forward but Garratt was up to any challenge they posed, diving bravely at the feet of one attacker late on.
Harrison’s goal proved enough for the Dabbers to progress, with the draw for the next round coming on Monday.
It also means the home league game against Bury on Saturday 30th August will be rearranged.
The next home game for Nantwich is against Mossley on Saturday 23rd August.
(Images courtesy of Jonathan White)
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