By Liam Price, photo by Jonathan White
The Dabbers return to league action with a trip to Chasetown on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The Thrill of the Chase
Chasetown’s last 2 games (both away) have been postponed due to the longstanding wet weather. No such danger on Saturday as the Scholars Ground has a 4G pitch so they’ll be playing their first game for 11 days on Saturday.
That last match was an agonising last minute 1-0 defeat away to Runcorn Linnets. Their last home game was also a 1-0 defeat, to Bury, but before that they won 2-1 away at league leaders Lower Breck, a rare result for anyone at Breck’s home ground.
The wider form is hard to read; in their last 7 league games they have won 3 and lost 4. What is true is they struggle to keep clean sheets; there hasn’t been one for them in the league since 1st November, a run of 15 games.
They remain a good side at home, with their 8 wins only bettered by 3 other teams in the NPL West. They sit 9th in the table, 5 points ahead of the Dabbers and 8 points off the play-offs before the weekend.
Last Time We Met
It was a comfortable 3-0 win for the Dabbers at the Swansway in October, with a Joe Robbins penalty, Perry Bircumshaw and Alex Panter making the difference. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
On Thursday the Scholars announced the signing of forward Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton, who has played for a number of Step 3 and 4 teams in the Midlands but this is his first step into the NPL West.
Joey Butlin scored twice in January including at Lower Breck. While Jack Langston remains a danger from midfield.
Match Information
Tickets are £10 for adults, £8 for concessions, £5 for U18s and U10s free with a paying adult.
It’s one of the longer league trips for Nantwich, just over an hour’s drive via the M6 to the Scholars Ground, WS7 3QL.