By Liam Price
With 2 games in 48 hours coming up for the Dabbers this Bank Holiday weekend, we’re merging the previews for Wythenshawe (H, 3pm kick off Saturday) and Newcastle Town (A, 3pm kick off Monday).
Wyth or Wythout You
It’s been a tough start for Wythenshawe FC in what is their highest ever division in their 78 year history. They are yet to win a game in all competitions, knocked out of the FA Cup by Pilkington XXX in a replay and 1 draw and 2 defeats from their three league games so far.
Those league results have been a creditable goalless draw against Runcorn, then a 2-0 defeat away at Vauxhall and a 4-1 loss at home against City of Liverpool on Tuesday night. But after back-to-back promotions, there was always going to be a period of adjustment to the eighth tier and they’ll surely be learning a lot from these early games.
Last Time We Met
This is the first ever league meeting between the 2 sides. But we have met twice before, in the Preliminary Round of the FA Vase in October 1991, first at Jackson Avenue. That game finished in a 1-1 draw, with Wythenshawe Amateurs (as they were then known; they dropped the Amateurs from their name in 2023) winning the replay 2-1. (Thanks to Retro Dabbers)
Players to Watch
Fraser Goodwin and Andrew Keogh have scored their 2 goals this season, Keogh’s from the penalty spot marking him as a danger from 12 yards if they get the chance.
Match Information
Tickets for this one are available online HERE or on the gate at £1 above the online prices.
New-Castles in the Sky
Newcastle Town will have already played 7 games by the time they face the Dabbers on Monday. This is by virtue of their FA Cup exploits, where they have taken replays to beat both Evesham United and Westfields (the team, not the London shopping mall). They’ll play Long Eaton United in the First Qualifying Round.
In the league, at time of writing they have 2 draws from their 2 games, 1-1 at home to Mossley and 2-2 away to Stafford Rangers. They play Wythenshawe Town away on Saturday before the game against the Dabbers.
Last Time We Met
Only two teams did the league double over Nantwich last season. The first was league champions Leek. The other was Newcastle Town. They completed a pair of 1-0 wins in April at the Red Industries Stadium courtesy of a goal by Jack van der Laan on the hour mark. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
Both Jack and his brother Tommy van der Laan are still very much Newcastle players, with Tommy getting on the scoresheet this season. But the ones who’ve been picking up more of the goals have been Jake Avery (2) and Thomas Jones (4). Both of them scored in the FA Cup replay on Tuesday night.
Match Information
Tickets at the Red Industries Stadium (on the gate only) are £11 for adults, £7 for concessions, £3 for 12-16 year olds and free for under 12s.