Match report: Colwyn Bay 1-2 Nantwich Town

Nantwich Town made the trip to North Wales to face 2022/23 Cymru North Champions Colwyn Bay in their third pre-season fixture.

After already picking up back-to-back wins in their first two friendlies The Dabbers were looking to maintain their good form.

The Welsh side got off to a positive start as they forced three smart saves from the trialist keeper in the Nantwich goal inside fifteen minutes.

In the 20th minute the referee awarded a penalty to the hosts after a Colwyn Bay player was pulled down in the box. Nick Rushton stepped up for Bay and despite the Nantwich keeper getting a strong hand to spot kick, it found its way over the line to give the hosts a deserved lead

In the 28th minute, The Dabbers had their first real effort of the game as Callum Saunders drove into the box, his eventual effort was directed onto the crossbar by a good sliding challenge from Danny Holmes

Moments later, Colwyn Bay’s Matty Hill tried his luck from a 25 yard free kick but the keeper palms over the bar

On the stroke of half time Caspar Hughes took aim from the edge of the box but it was just over the crossbar

The referee bought a competitive first half to a close with the hosts taking the lead through a Nick Rushton penalty.

The first chance of the second half came through Dabbers substitute Dan Cockerline, He saw his header crash off the bar after he rose highest to meet a corner at the near post.

In the 62nd minute The Dabbers levelled the scores. Cockerline held play up well before finding Stevie Hewitt who poked home from just inside the box to level the scores

Seven minutes later the Dabbers though they’d scored on two seperate occasions as as Troy Bourne’s header looked to have crossed the line but it wasn’t given before Cockerline followed up and it was again cleared off the line by the Bay back line

In the 82nd minute Dan Cockerline latched onto a loose ball at the back before feeding trialist who showed a good turn of pace before lifting an effort over the keeper and into the back of the net to give The Dabbers the lead

The game ended 2-1 to Nantwich and despite the results not meaning anything, The Dabbers have continued their winning form which will only breed positivity into the camp.