By Liam Price, photos by Jonathan White
Nantwich progressed to the semi-finals of the Cheshire Senior Cup for the first time in 6 years with a 2-0 win over current holders of the competition Runcorn Linnets.
There were just 2 changes from the league win over Congleton on Saturday as Marc Feighery went with a strong line-up in his last game as Interim Manager. Linnets meanwhile made 9 changes but still looked strong, which speaks to their squad depth.
The best chance of the first half came in just the 3rd minute, as Alex Panter was played in and hit the post with a low shot from the right side of the penalty area.
Deflections were the name of the game for the rest of the half, one on a shot from Panter and one from Oskar Rosenblatt for Linnets that made the respective saves that bit easier.
One deflected effort that required more attention came via a shot from Paddy Jarrett that took a big nick and needing tipping round the post by Cian O’Shea, who had to quickly adjust his position, making it a good save.
The visitors suffered some bad luck with injuries. losing defender Markell Foulds after 28 minutes. His replacement Harvey Washington then only lasted 12 minutes before going off with an injury of his own.
Runcorn’s best chance came from a corner, where a free header was sent wide of the far post when it could easily have gone in.
Joe Collins couldn’t get on the end of a deep cross from Byron Moore that held up in the gusting winds, another factor in the game.
A big chance came early in the second period for Runcorn, as Joel Street blazed wide after bursting into the box, rushing the shot.
There was nearly a horror moment for O’Shea as a simple backpass went under his foot and trickled wide of the post.
Aidy Roxburgh sent a shot over the bar, before Panter almost scored a carbon copy of his brilliant backheeled goal at Kidsgrove but this time it was deflected wide.
Lewis Crane and Naim Arsan failed to test Garratt with shots, and it has to be said the feeling in the stadium was that it was a tie destined to go to penalties.
But that all changed in the 75th minute. After looking a little bit shaky defending corners, the Dabbers scored from one. James Baillie delivered it and Callum Saunders stooped onto his knees to guide it in with his head. Unconventional but effective as Saunders made it back-to-back games in which he’s scored.
Nantwich looked comfortable from then on, and doubled the lead with 2 minutes to go. Panter was found in space again, but this time he made no mistake in firing in emphatically to seal the tie.
The Dabbers will face Crewe Alexandra in the semi-finals. All details on that game are to be confirmed.
Teams
Nantwich Town: Ben Garratt, Aidy Roxburgh, James Baillie, Joe Robbins (C) (Harry Bower, 72), Ben Hockenhull, Paddy Kennedy, Alex Panter (Reece Vaughan, 90+2), Joe Collins (Joel Connolly, 57), Byron Harrison, Paddy Jarrett (Fenton Green, 62), Byron Moore (Callum Saunders, 46)
Goals: Saunders (75), Panter (88)
Runcorn Linnets: Cian O’Shea, Jay Lee, Naim Arsan, Markell Foulds (Harvey Washington, 28 (Adam Rooney, 40)), Peter Wylie (C) (Lewis Doyle, 75), Isaac Graham, Declan McLoughlin, Harry McGee, Lewis Crane (Scott Bakkor, 75), Oskar Rosenblatt (Joel Street, 46), James Steele
Attendance: 222