Nantwich Town claimed their first away league win since the opening day of the season with a 1-0 victory at Trafford FC, writes Liam Price.
The strong showing in midweek against Chasetown meant Jon Moran stuck with almost the same side, the only change coming because of Ben Hockenhull’s injury.
Paddy Jarrett flicked an Aidy Roxburgh low ball towards goal but Trafford’s defence was alert to the danger.
There were several moments like that of Trafford bodies just getting a foot in at the crucial time, as goalkeeper Sam Booth did when clearing ahead of Byron Harrison and another time when Alex Panter had the ball nicked off him in the box.
Kieran Molloy had a couple of half openings for Trafford but couldn’t force Ben Garratt into any action.
There was nearly a spectacular opener for Nantwich. Panter’s running made Booth rush a clearance, spinning it out to Fenton Green.
With Booth off his line, Green went for the lob from distance but missed the target. It was well worth a go.
Booth was at his best to deny Paddy Kennedy a minute later as a powerful header by the Irishman was brilliantly pushed over by the Trafford keeper.
A couple of threatening corners capped off a good spell for the Dabbers but without a goal to show for it.
Garratt’s most serious piece of goalkeeping came when he cleverly closed down the angle on Wood to allow himself to make what was a much simpler save than it might have been were it not for his positioning.
Harrison had to stoop backwards to head a Josh Williams cross which made it an easy save for Booth.
A big moment came in the 44th minute. Trafford were frustrated by a stoppage for a head injury in their box for Kelvin Mellor.
Something happened off the ball and suddenly Joe Robbins was on his back and Molloy was shown a straight red card after apparently raising his arms towards his opponent.
Deep into first half stoppage time, another huge moment.
Booth came for a cross and didn’t claim it. Harrison was there to pick up the ball and Booth clumsily made contact with him in trying to reclaim the ball, the referee pointing to the spot.
After no penalties all season, the Dabbers had now had them in back-to-back games.
After being unable to take the Chasetown spot kick due to injury, this time Harrison was fine and made no mistake.
Booth went the right way but couldn’t get anything on it.
The second half fell into the pattern you’d expect after a red card with Nantwich in control of possession and Trafford seeing what was possible on the counter.
Sub Callum Saunders nearly got on the end of a Roxburgh cross but Jordan Fagbola was switched on to clear.
Kennedy saw a header from a corner deflected over the crossbar. His headers at the other end were on point all day in another strong defensive showing.
In a similar moment to the first half, another Booth clearance only found a Nantwich body, Panter this time, and he also shaped up to shoot towards the unguarded goal from distance but Fagbola got in the way of it.
Consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season and a first win away at Trafford since coming into the NPL West make it a potentially important day in the season for the Dabbers.
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