By Liam Price
The Dabbers return to the Swansway this Saturday to face Clitheroe (3pm kick-off). It’s also Non-League Day so a great chance to celebrate this special pyramid we’re a part of.
Clither-oeing Me, Clither-oeing You
Clitheroe are on a great run of form. They’ve been racking up wins and plenty of goals too. They stunned the rest of the league by thrashing leaders Widnes 4-0 at the end of February, and recorded the same scoreline over Witton in their last game. There have also been wins over Hanley, Kidsgrove and Wythenshawe FC in recent games. They’ve won 4, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 7 games.
Perhaps, though, it’s too little too late, as even after all that they are still 11th in the NPL West, a place and two points behind the Dabbers. Over the season it’s been their away form that has cost them, with only 5 wins and 10 defeats out of 17 being among the worst records in the league and undermining the much better work at the EcoGiants Stadium.
They have scored the joint third most goals of anyone in the league but conceded the second most, behind only City of Liverpool. Remarkable numbers but it all serves to render this game something frankly approaching a dead rubber.
Last Time We Met
It was a close run thing in Lancashire in November as the Dabbers and Clitheroe played out a 1-1 draw. Callum Saunders put the Dabbers ahead in the first half before Sefton Gonzales equalised with just over 15 minutes to go. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
In Veron Parny, Clitheroe have the top scorer in the entire NPL West with 18 goals in 40 games. He usually wears the number 10 shirt.
Leon Creech is a way behind on 11 goals, but he’s got those in just 16 games. Either Parny, Creech, or both of them, have scored in all of Clitheroe’s last 9 games. Nantwich’s inability to keep a clean sheet in recent months means there’s a strong chance we’ll be hearing either one or both of those names read out as goalscorers on Saturday.
Jack Massey was sent off last weekend so will be unavailable for this game.
Match Information
Tickets for this one are available HERE, or on the gate. It is £1 cheaper to buy online for each category than it is on the gate.
Dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on a lead.
Please use the parking provided. If you have to park on the street then please be respectful to local residents.