By Liam Price, photos by Jonathan White
The Dabbers have the rearranged trip to Shifnal coming up on Wednesday night (7.45pm kick-off).
Not to be Shif-fed at
They may not have caught the attention of some of the other promoted teams like Bury and Lower Breck, but it’s still been an impressive first season in the NPL West for Shifnal. Before this game they are 9th in the table and have never been in danger of relegation at any point.
In fact, for a while they were in play-off contention. However, since the start of 2026 there has been a drop off in form that means they’re probably going to finish in mid-table. They went 10 games without a win from Boxing Day to the middle of March, when they beat Trafford. They have followed up that win with a defeat to Chasetown and a last minute 3-2 win away at Witton at the weekend.
It’s also been 5 defeats out of 6 at home which is a remarkable turnaround given that they had won 6 in a row at the Acoustafoam Stadium before that.
Last Time We Met
Undoubtedly one of the moments of the season for Nantwich was the stoppage time winner from Byron Moore in the reverse fixture in November, with the game finishing 1-0. Highlights below.
And, given it’s the 20th anniversary season of the Dabbers’ FA Vase triumph, some Nantwich fans may remember that it was away at Shifnal that that glorious campaign began, with a 1-0 Nantwich win at Shifnal on Sunday 2nd October 2005 in the 2nd Qualifying Round. Were you one of the 99 spectators there that day?
Players to Watch
Matt Barnes-Homer remains Shifnal’s biggest goalscoring threat up top with 12 league goals to his name. Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham also has double figures this season.
Look out for recent signing Kieran Cook who has come in from Darlaston having scored for them against Nantwich earlier in the season.
Elliot Durrell scored twice in stoppage time at the weekend to turn the Witton game on its head.
Former Dabbers stopper Andy Wycherley is still between the sticks for Shifnal, and made a spectacular save with his foot to deny Alex Panter in the reverse game.
Match Information
Tickets for this one are available on the gate with cash and card, at £10 for adults, £7 for concessions and £3 for kids.
It’s about an hour’s drive from Nantwich to the Acoustafoam Stadium, going through Audlem and Market Drayton to avoid any motorways and the probable traffic.
You can park for FREE at the nearby Idsall School which is literally across the road from the stadium.