Written by Adam Bateman, photo by Jonathan White
On a day that was perfect for playing football, Nantwich looked to get back to winning ways, in this crunch game at the bottom of the table against Liversedge.
Both teams were looking to take the full three points, and to take a big leap over the other, in the battle to stay up this season.
For Nantwich, it was good to see the striker Dan Cockerline back in the side after his long injury absence, he has been much missed as a presence up front.
From the off it was plain to see that both sides wanted to be the first to score, as there were early opportunities that were not taken, first as Liversedge’s Nathan Cartman found himself in a bit of space in the home sides box, but he shot wide from an acute angle.
Then Nantwich were very unfortunate to not have a shot on goal, as they put together a wonderful passing move, that just broke down on the edge of their opponents area.
Benjamin Atkinson a few minutes later then tested out Tom Booth in the home goal, but thankfully his shot was straight at him.
Another warning sign that the visitors came here to win, and not just for a draw, Zak Dearnley, the former Manchester United youth player, had a very good shot that Booth did very well to save, as his shot from the edge of the area, was a real tester.
Then Nantwich had their first true shot of the game, as the ever impressive Harry Nevin found himself with a bit of space in a central position, at the edge of the visitors area, but he saw his shot go wide of Jordan Porter’s post.
This was turning into an open game, whereby both sides could take the lead, it was just who would find their way of doing so.
A turning point in the game was when the live-wire, and the player who was causing Liversedge all manner of problems, Curtis Morrison had to go off just over half an hour into the game, due to picking up an injury, with Shaun Miller coming on in his place.
From there, Liversedge took more control of the game, as first Josh Barratt forced Booth into a really good save, pushing his shot out for a corner, and then the dagger blow to the home side came, as Jack Carr put the away side in front.
He found himself one on one with Booth, after a really good bit of play, on the far side of the box, and his shot was too accurate and powerful for the Nantwich goalkeeper to stop, and his shot went into the far corner of the goal.
This seemed to deflate the home side, as their previous good play seemed to dry up as the half time break edged closer, and indeed as the break came, the score remained with Liversedge one goal to the good.
As the second half started, the pattern of play soon became apparent, Liversedge were going to do everything to hold onto their winning position, and all of the dark arts came out, as they made it a very stop start game, and took out any momentum that the home side tried to build up.
On the rare occasion that Nantwich did break through a very resolute Liversedge defence, such as when A-Jay Leitch Smith rounded Jordan Porter, they had sufficient numbers back to crowd him out, and to stop him having a shot on goal.
They put as many players behind the ball as possible, and made it as hard as possible for Nantwich to try to find any real openings.
Liversedge didn’t have any attacking intent in the second half, they were all too happy to shut up shop at the back.
Substitute Jack Sherratt had about the best chance for Nantwich, but his shot was saved by Porter, and it looked like that was going to be it, until in injury time, with almost the last kick of the game, A-Jay Leitch Smith found himself with a rare opportunity right in front of goal, but sadly Porter pulled off a wonderful save, and that was just about the last action of the game.
However there was still time for a bit of drama, as about ten seconds before the final whistle, Casey Stewart managed to find a way to get himself sent off for the away side, but that didn’t change the scoreline, as Liversedge held on the vital three points, as Nantwich once again rue another set of missed chances.
The next game for Nantwich is home to Ashton United on the 29th of October.
Teams:
Nantwich:
Tom Booth
Harry Nevin
Sean Lawton
Jon Moran
Perry Bircumshaw
Tom Scully
James Plant
Matt Bell ©
Dan Cockerline
A-Jay Leitch Smith
Curtis Morrison
Subs:
Shaun Miller
Jacob Edwards
Jack Sherratt
Chris Sang
Ivan Urvantev
Liversedge:
Jordan Porter
Alfie Raw
Jack Hardacre
Connor Smythe
Jack Steers
Kurt Harris ©
Josh Barratt
Benjamin Atkinson
Nathan Cartman
Zak Dearnley
Jack Carr
Subs:
Desmond Amponsah
Casey Stewart
Shiraz Khan
Joe Walton
Attendance: 302