By Liam Donaldson, photos by Jonathan White
Nantwich Town’s playoff hopes officially ended with a 2-1 defeat against City of Liverpool at the Swansway Stadium.
Paul Carden named an unchanged squad after the recent match against Newcastle Town, with the Dabbers needing 3 points for any lingering chance at the playoffs. The weather for today’s match was a mix of sunshine along with some cold breezes throughout the afternoon enjoyed by an excellent crowd of 623.
Nantwich Town started this game well as Kai Evans managed to slide in behind that City of Liverpool defence, only for his chance to be denied by Calvin Hare.
Minutes later, the Dabbers’ number 11 again caused problems for the away side. The close range shot was fired straight at Hare as Evans cut through by the left byline.
Right back Timi Sobowale was allowed to get forward constantly in the opening 10 minutes of the match. He played a crucial part in the attacking move that saw Sobowale eventually fire one into the side netting on this right hand side.
City of Liverpool started to have more joy on the ball as they tested Ben Garratt for the first time in this match, which was a comfortable catch by the Dabbers number 1.
A third opportunity arose for Kai Evans with a superb dazzling run that forced Hare into making a save with his feet.
Unfortunate news midway through the first half came when Paddy Kay suffered an unfortunate injury meaning Callum Saunders would come on in replacement. Kay had made the most appearances of any Nantwich player this season but it sadly looks as if he’ll miss the last game of a strong season for him personally.
City of Liverpool were awarded a penalty with strong shouts raised from the away side’s dugout area after what appeared to be a push in the box. They also appealed for a penalty minutes earlier which wasn’t given. Kenny Strickland remained composed from the spot, with his penalty aimed towards the middle of the goal as Garratt went the wrong way. Strickland striking his 6th penalty in City of Liverpool’s last 5 games.
Bolton Wanderers loanee Gio Loureiro started to grow in this game with confidence. He showed great flair in a move that later resulted in a goal kick when Evans shot from distance.
City of Liverpool doubled their lead with just under an hour played in the match. They moved the ball well and clinched their opportunity down their right flank with a low cross played into the middle, for a flick on that was directed into the top left corner. It was Nathan Okome who got the final touch for an unfortunate own goal with Xenon Bahula breathing down his neck.
Nantwich Town responded perfectly with a top class delivery from Kai Evans that found Callum Saunders who rose above Hare and headed it into the back of the net for his 7th of the season and first since early February.
Joel Connolly found a good area of space just minutes after the goal. His long range strike was well parried from Hare with City of Liverpool clearing shortly afterwards.
Nantwich struggled to build any real head of steam in the last 20 minutes as the Purps closed out another crucial win in their own play-off hunt which is very much still on.
They head to a winner-takes-all clash at home to Witton on the final day. Meanwhile, the final game of the season for Nantwich is away against Widnes on Saturday 27th April at 3pm.
Teams
Nantwich Town: Ben Garratt, Timi Sobowale, Perry Bircumshaw, Troy Bourne, Courtney Meppen-Walters, Nathan Okome, Joel Connolly, Paddy Kay (Callum Saunders, 22), Byron Harrison, Giovanni Loureiro (Jon Moran, 90), Kai Evans
Subs not used: Sean Lawton, Eric Merner, Akiel Raffie
Goal: Saunders (61)
City of Liverpool: Calvin Hare, Michael Simpson, Jack Hont, Kenny Strickland, Adam Rooney, Simon Wills, Elliot Morris, Ismail Sonko, Danny Mitchley (Josh Quarless, 68), Max Allen, Xenon Bahula (Michael Grogan, 88)
Subs not used: Luke Byron, Jawad Jebrin, Kyle Schorah
Goals: Strickland (27, pen), Okome (58, OG)
Attendance: 623