By Jonathan White, photos by Peter Robinson
Dabbers fall just short in Challenge Cup semi-final thriller
Nantwich Town FC Women’s impressive run in the CWYFL Challenge Cup came to an end on Sunday 13th April 2025, as they narrowly lost 3-2 to Altrincham FC Women in a tightly contested semi-final at the Swansway Stadium.
The game, played in front of a lively home crowd enjoying free entry and refreshments courtesy of the Bach 95 Brewing Company’s mobile bar, saw both teams battle hard for a place in the final.
Altrincham took the lead on the half-hour mark, but the Dabbers responded just before the break through Levi Lander to make it 1-1 going into half-time.
The visitors regained the lead in the 58th minute, and capitalised on a defensive lapse to make it 3-1 just nine minutes later. Nantwich refused to go down without a fight, and Poppy Smith pulled one back in the 83rd minute to set up a tense finish. Despite some spirited attacking in the final minutes, the Dabbers couldn’t find the equaliser and bowed out of the competition at the semi-final stage.
Levi Lander (sponsored by Mistoria Group) and Poppy Smith (sponsored by S.E.A Recycling) were the goalscorers for Nantwich, with Lander also earning Player of the Match honours for her dominant display in midfield and crucial first-half goal.
While the defeat is frustrating, it does little to overshadow what has been a phenomenal season for Dan Mellor’s side. Having already secured the Cheshire Women’s & Youth Football League Premier Division title, as well as making headlines with a strong Women’s FA Cup campaign, the Dabbers can look back on 2024/25 with pride.
Speaking after the final whistle, manager Dan Mellor said:
“It’s disappointing to exit at this stage, however it’s been such a long season and injuries caught up with us today. We were already missing 5 players and then we lost Alicia and Teagan within the first 15 minutes and it disrupted us massively.
“Saying that, we were the better team in the first half, I felt we passed the ball through the thirds really well, we just lacked that cutting edge and didn’t really create as many chances as we’d have liked.
“Second half we started well for 5 minutes but then seemed to lose energy and we couldn’t rotate like we’d normally do, there were a few players running on empty and we were punished as Altrincham pounced and punished individual mistakes at the back.
“It’s important we don’t dwell too much, we’ve secured the league title and that was the number one aim for the season, adding to a fantastic FA Cup run, I can’t ask for any more from the girls, they’ve been fantastic and today just wasn’t our day.”
Dabbers starting XI: 1. K. Townsend, 2. L. Bulkeley, 3. T. Sorokan, 4. H. Knight, 5. R. Davies (captain), 6. M. O’Connor, 7. E. Macdonald, 8. P. Smith, 9. A. Fallon, 10. L. Lander, 11. A. Hatton. Subs: 12. N. Walker, 14. B. Davies, 15. F. Chaffey-Green, 16. L. Pearce, GK. N. Harding.
The Dabbers will close out their league season at home on Sunday 27th April, hosting AFC Crewe Women in what promises to be a celebratory fixture. Kick-off is at 2pm, with the Premier Division trophy presentation to follow the final whistle.
Looking ahead, the club is already preparing for the 2025/26 campaign and is now recruiting new players to join their ambitious setup. Trials will be held on Wednesday 14th May and Wednesday 21st May, from 7–9pm. Interested players can register here: https://tinyurl.com/2bdp9jzn
For updates and news, follow the team on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NTFCLadies