Nantwich Town manager Paul Carden was full of praise after his side grinded out a 1-0 win against Witton Albion on Saturday
“We’ve ground out a win today which is important because there was that many fixtures off today and with us playing it was important that we maintained the momentum and the little run that we’ve been on in the league” said Paul Carden after his sides victory.
The Dabbers came into the game off the back of a good win on Tuesday night against Chasetown where they picked up their third league clean sheet in a row.
The Dabbers were forced to make a few changes to the starting XI from Tuesday’s victory due to several suspensions in the camp. Troy Bourne, Fraser Cookson and Nathan Okome were all suspended after picking up red cards in recent games. This meant that Perry Bircumshaw and Joel Connolly had to fill in at centre back whilst Joe Piggott had to drop back into centre midfield.
Talking after the game, Paul Carden added “We’ve had two fullbacks playing at centre half, a centre forward drop into centre midfield. Really square pegs in round holes today, it was a patched up side but a side with good players who want to do the right thing and they’ve ground out the result”
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors after fifteen minutes. Connor Hughes won the ball in midfield before driving towards goal, as he got into the box he took aim but his effort curled the wrong side of the far right post.
Six minutes later, Nantwich had their best chance of the game when Jacob Edwards’ cross was met by Paddy Kay, but his stooping header was well saved by Ollie Martin in the Albion goal. The Dabbers came close two minutes later when Callum Saunders beat Martin to Joe Piggott’s over the top ball, but he poked wide and took a blow in the process.
Witton were enjoying most of the ball but they were reduced for long range efforts that were straight forward for Scott Moloney, both Brandon Newell and Lee Jackson tried their look from range, but their efforts dribbled into the arms of the Dabbers keeper.
A major talking point of the game came in the 36th minute when Courtney Meppen-Walters’ back pass was intercepted by Joe Duckworth who hit the deck after alleged contact with Scott Moloney, but the referee waved away any penalty appeals from the visitors.
At the break it was a fairly even game with Nantwich having the better chance to take the lead, but it remained goalless.
Scott Moloney was forced into his first real save of sorts when he was on hand to palm away a close-range effort in the 53rd minute.
The only goal of the game came in the 65th minute when Joel Connolly’s free kick was headed into the back of the net by former Premier League defender Matt Lowton who diverted the cross into his own net from close range.
After the goal Witton pushed for a leveller but the Dabbers continued to remain firm and limit the Albs to long range efforts. Harry Brazell cut inside and tried his luck but his venomous strike was well over the crossbar. Former Nantwich Town defender Ben Harrison was thrown upfront for Witton in a last gasp attempt to salvage something from the game. He won a few first balls but the Dabbers continued to be solid and cleared away any danger.
After five minutes of added time the referee blew his final whistle and the bought a hold to the game where the Dabbers picked up there second win in a row and their fourth clean sheet in as many games.
TEAMS:
Nantwich Town | Scott Moloney, Jacob Edwards, Sean Lawton, Joel Connolly, Courtney Meppen-Walters, Perry Bircumshaw, Akiel Raffie (Jake Kirby 74’), Paddy Kay, Byron Harrison, Joe Piggott, Callum Saunders (Kai Evans 59’)
Subs not used: Danny Roberts, Amir Tavakoli
Witton Albion | Ollie Martin, Mike Koral (Oliver Hithcox 76’), Lee Jackson, Ben Harrison, Matthew Lowton, Cameron Fogarty, Harry Brazell, Brandon Newell, Connot Hughes, Joe Duckworth (Kingsley Williams 67’), Elliot Rokka (James Lawrie 59’)
Subs not used: Oli Roberts, Aarron Grewal
Attendance: 624