By Lewie Tilley, photos by Jonathan White and Lewie Tilley
The Dabbers lost 3-2 to Atherton Collieries on Saturday at the Swansway Stadium in a very tight and scrappy affair.
A close first half had the away side ahead at the break, with a lively second half securing their win despite late Nantwich pressure to equalise.
There were three changes to Luke Goddard’s side from the draw against Runcorn Linnets as Jordan Hodkin made his first start and Perry Bircumshaw returned to the starting eleven.
Before the game, there was a minute’s applause to mark the anniversary of former Nantwich player Ryan Keen’s passing in 1994.
It could’ve been a perfect start for Nantwich as Hodkin’s scuffed shot almost fell to Callum Sanders at the back post but was cleared.
Saunders also had the chance to open the scoring after a beautiful cross from Aidy Roxburgh, but his sliding effort was comfortable for Matthew Corran.
After a strong start from Nantwich, Atherton struck the post after Harry Showman worked the space quickly for a low strike.
The visitors did go on to take the lead after Rodney Ajayi drove into space on the edge of the box and rifled a driven effort into the bottom corner.
Joe Collins looked to put the game level after latching onto a bouncing ball on the edge of the box, his effort deflected for a corner.
The equaliser did come for the Dabbers as Joel Connolly scored directly from the resulting corner.
After a much better start to the second half, the visitors almost caught the Nantwich defence out as Kielen Adams found space in behind, but curled the ball beyond Ben Garratt’s far post.
However, Atherton did go on to take the lead again with an acrobatic effort from centre back Alex Doyle, squeezed in after failing to be cleared.
Atherton then doubled their lead from Nantwich as, unbelievably, Sam Sheridan also scored directly from a corner.
Nantwich had it all to do, but Ben Hockenhull gave the team a lifeline, as he turned in from another corner making for a tense last ten minutes.
There was a flurry of chances as Nantwich hunted the equaliser but Byron Harrison and Alex Panter both saw their efforts whistle over the bar.
The final chance fell to James Baillie, but a heroic block the from the Atherton defence denied his goal-bound effort.
The next league game for Nantwich is Chasetown (A) on Saturday 14th February at 3pm.
Teams
Nantwich Town: Ben Garratt, Aidy Roxburgh, Perry Bircumshaw (James Baillie, 69), Joe Collins (Joe Robbins, 66), Ben Hockenhull, Paddy Kennedy, Alex Panter, Joel Connolly (C) (Fenton Green, 81), Byron Harrison, Callum Saunders (Paddy Jarrett, 81), Jordan Hodkin (Byron Moore, 53)
Goals: Connolly (50), Hockenhull (89)
Atherton Collieries: Matthew Corran, Ben Rydel (Javid Swaby-Neavin, 90+4), Calen Gallagher-Allison, Sam Olawumi, Niall Battersby, Alex Doyle, Sam Sheridan (C), Rodney Ajayi, Kielen Adams, Harry Showman (Andrew Buah, 88), Luke Partington (Chinedu Uche, 63)
Subs not used: Kier Barry, Sonny Reeves
Goals: Ajayi (35), Doyle (65), Sheridan (80)
Attendance: 607