By Liam Price, photo by Jonathan White
The Dabbers travel to the historic Gigg Lane on Saturday (3pm kick-off) to face Bury who have the league title outcome in their own hands but still desperately need the points.
Straw-Bury Fields Forever
The Shakers dropped points at a bad time on Easter Monday. A 1-1 away at Clitheroe, a point only secured via a stoppage time equaliser from Kai Evans, allowed both Avro and Stalybridge to close the gap at the top. There’s now just 3 points between the 3 of them, so even if results go their way on Saturday they can’t be crowned champions this weekend.
But it is a rare blip in the recent form book for Bury. Since 31st January, they have won 10 out of 12 games and kept 8 clean sheets in those games. It’s no surprise that Anthony Johnson has hit the ground running as manager having succeeded at a number of clubs in the Greater Manchester area but this time striking out on his own for the first time; a league title just a few months in would more than vindicate that decision.
Also unsurprising is the home form, 13 wins out of 19 at Gigg Lane. They are only the 4th top scorers in the division but have conceded fewer than anyone, which gives them a crucial goal difference advantage over their opponents that could be needed at the end.
The last home game was the epitome of this team. Congleton took the lead in the first half and held onto it for a while, but Bury found something in the second half and blitzed them with 4 goals in 20 minutes. That is what they can do.
The biggest home crowd at Gigg Lane this season has been over 5,300, so look to see if that gets beaten on Saturday as the home support try to pull their side over the line.
Last Time We Met
The Dabbers were picked apart in November, mostly by Kai Evans and Rustam Stepans who got 2 goals each in a 4-1 win. Highlights below.
The Dabbers have played at Gigg Lane 9 times before, but never against Bury. We played a couple of North West Counties League Cup finals there in the 90s and also visited several times when it was the temporary home of FC United, most recently in 2014. Aaron Burns remains the most recent Nantwich scorer at that stadium and other legendary Nantwich goalscorers there include John Scarlett and Sean Cooke.
Players to Watch
Evans has gone from strength to strength and has 16 league goals to his name to be Bury’s top scorer. Stepans isn’t far behind on 11.
Also look out for more recent addition Mo Touray, who has 9 goals in 14 games up front since joining from Southport.
Match Information
We’ve already done an article which goes into detail on ticket and travel details HERE.
A reminder that the coach leaves the Swansway Stadium at 11.30am.