By Oliver Shorland, photos by Jonathan White
Nantwich Town made it through to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Avro FC after two late goals from Byron Moore.
The Dabbers made two changes from last weekend’s trip to Avro with Joe Robbins and Josh Williams coming into the side. The prize on offer for tonight’s victors, a home tie against fellow NPL side Trafford FC in the second round of qualifying for this year’s edition of the FA Cup.
The opening exchanges of the game were certainly cagey, with neither side keen to concede early doors after last time out.
The first chance came the way of the home side as Joel Connolly was able to clip in Aidy Roxburgh but his fierce shot was fired well wide of the mark.
It was soon Avro’s opportunity to take the lead as the Dabbers defence was caught cold, but Kyle Hawley elected to try and bring it down with Nantwich able to recover.
Roxburgh was then once again able to sneak his way past the Avro backline but once again to no avail as he hit the side netting.
The away side’s first real opportunity of the game came from a wicked cross from Chiekh Thiam, but Hawley was unable to convert once again, sending it wide of the post.
It was then Byron Harrison’s turn to find himself in behind the Avro defence but all on his own he was unable to make anything happen for the Dabbers.
Halfway through the opening 45, Dylan Gairns thought he’d escaped the Nantwich backline only to be pulled back for offside.
Some good play from the Dabbers saw them able to find Roxburgh on the flank once again but the cross was collected by Cian O’Shea in the Avro goal.
The away side then had a free kick in a promising position shortly after with Jake Cottrell’s effort curled over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
As the first half reached its climax, Jon Moran’s men were able to create a couple of half chances as they tried to break the deadlock with a few long throw ins causing chaos in the Avro box, but the scores remained at 0-0 going into the break.
Just minutes into the second half, Dabbers captain Kelvin Mellor was forced off with a knock for Perry Bircumshaw as Avro also made their first change with Sam Davidson replacing Kane Hickman.
Chances were few and far between for both sides as they were unable to break each other down in what had become quite a stalemate in the opening ten of the second half.
A second change for the Dabbers then saw Ben Greenop replace Joe Robbins on 57 minutes.
In an attempt to break the deadlock a wild Avro free kick was sent over the bar from deep with neither side still yet to take the game by the scruff of its neck.
With the introduction of Greenop into the fray, he appeared to be a missing link of sorts, able to latch onto a flick on from Byron Harrison, but he was denied by an Avro defence that had held strong all game.
Bircumshaw was able to beat his defender once again and win the corner which was subsequently sent just wide by Paddy Kennedy with O’Shea almost at full stretch.
Two changes for Avro in quick succession saw Owen Warburton replaced by Adan Owen and Oliver Putnam off for Joel Igwenwanne.
A final change for Avro saw Adam Owen make way for Justin Iwobi.
Alex Panter was then able to get on the end of yet another Harrison flick on as he was able to fire the ball across the box which was nearly flicked into his own net by Avro’s Fortune Maphosa.
The Dabbers then had a chance to take the lead, O’Shea missed his attempt to punch the cross clear of danger but was bailed out by his defence.
The next substitution for the Dabbers saw Byron Moore introduced for Alex Panter with just over ten minutes to go.
Nantwich then looked to really amp up the pressure on Avro as they looked to avoid extra time.
A Kennedy shot was sent wide of the mark, followed up a few minutes later by Fenton Green, who was able to find some space but lashed his shot well over the bar.
However, it was soon delight for the Dabbers who caught Avro on the break as substitute Byron Moore was played in and able to slot the ball into the back of the net to make it one nil to the Dabbers late on, his first goal for the club.
Any chance of an Avro comeback was put to bed soon after as Bircumshaw was able to ride the challenge of an Avro defender, running into the open space he was then able to square it to Moore for an easy finish to secure the Dabbers place in the next qualifying round.
A final substitution for the Dabbers saw Junior Brown on for Byron Harrison to see out the remainder of the six minutes added time of the tie as the heavens well and truly opened at the Swansway Stadium.
Jon Moran’s side will now look forward to a return to FA Trophy action this weekend against Ossett United and a home fixture against Trafford FC in just under two weeks’ time.
Teams
Nantwich Town: Ben Garratt, Aidy Roxburgh, Josh Williams, Kelvin Mellor (C) (Bircumshaw 52’), Ben Hockenhull, Paddy Kennedy, Joel Connolly, Fenton Green, Byron Harrison (Brown 90+3’), Joe Robbbins (Greenop 57’), Alex Panter (Moore 78’)
Unused Substitutes: Paddy Jarrett, Callum Saunders, Jon Moran
Goals: Moore 89’, 90+2’
Avro FC: Cian O’Shea, Chiekh Thiam, Jake Cottrell, Jack Morrow (C), Nkosizile Fortune Maphosa, Jack Kenny, Dylan Gairns, Owen Warburton (Owen 66’ (Iwobi 90’)), Kyle Hawley, Oliver Putnam (Igwenwanne 71’), Kane Hickman (Davidson 51’)
Unused Substitutes: Braden Edghill, David Fitzpatrick
Attendance: 292