By Jonathan White and Liam Price, photos by Peter Robinson
Nantwich Town FC Women crush Crewe FC Women 8-0 to storm into CWYFL Challenge Cup semi-finals
Nantwich Town FC Women delivered a dominant performance on Sunday 23rd March 2025, dismantling Crewe FC Women 8-0 in the CWYFL Challenge Cup quarter-finals at the Cumberland Arena in Crewe.
The Dabbers set the tone early, with Amanda Fallon opening the scoring in the 7th minute with a tap in after Jade Buckley-Ratcliff made a strong run to the byline and pulled the ball back.
A composed lob over the keeper from Libby Bulkeley in the 33rd minute doubled the lead, before Jade Buckley-Ratcliff extended the advantage on 40 minutes with a calm finish into the corner.
Fallon struck again in first-half injury time with a smart finish after having to wait for the ball to drop to her, ensuring a commanding 4-0 lead at the break.
Nantwich wasted no time in the second half, with Fallon netting twice in quick succession, tapping in on the rebound to complete her hat-trick and firing in a superb half volley off her left foot to make it 6-0, the best goal of the game.
The prolific forward wasn’t done, securing her fifth goal of the match in the 59th minute with a poked finish at the far post from a free kick to push the scoreline to 7-0.
Buckley-Ratcliff rounded off the emphatic victory with her second well-taken goal in the 65th minute, sealing an 8-0 rout.
Goal Scorers: Amanda Fallon (5), Jade Buckley-Ratcliff (2), Libby Bulkeley (1).
Midfielder Millie O’Connor was named Player of the Match, showcasing exceptional leadership and control in the centre of the pitch. Sponsored by Kate Blakemore, CEO of Her-Place Charitable Trust, O’Connor’s commanding display was instrumental in the Dabbers’ victory.
Dabbers starting XI:
- K. Townsend
- P. Smith (Captain)
- B. Harding
- H. Knight
- B. Davies
- F. Chaffey-Green
- N. Walker
- M. Ragdale
- A. Fallon
- L. Lander
- J. Buckley-Ratcliff
Subs: 12. L. Bulkeley, 14. M. O’Connor, 16. T. Sorokan, 17. K. Green.
Speaking after the match, Nantwich Town FC Women’s manager Dan Mellor expressed his delight at the team’s performance:
“I’m really pleased with that performance today, I thought whilst the scoreline was 8-0 it could have been a lot more had we finished half the chances we created so it’s really positive that we’re creating so many opportunities and our forwards are getting into those goalscoring opportunities.
“As we come to the business end of the season, it was important we managed the players well and we’ve not suffered any knocks ahead of Wednesdays league game whilst Teagan was been able to complete a further 30 minutes in her comeback from her knee injury sustained in September so a lot of positives to take.
“We’re used to seeing Amanda on the scoresheet and to score 5 today shows what a top striker she is, she probably should have had 5 before half-time but she doesn’t let it affect her and I’m always confident of a chance falls her way she’ll bury them. She became our record scorer already with 24 for the season which is a phenomenal return and hopefully a few more to add before the season is out.”
Nantwich Town FC Women now advance to the semi-finals, with eyes set on securing a spot in the Challenge Cup final.