Nantwich Town have been relegated from the Northern Premier League Premier Division despite a 2-1 win over Radcliffe at the Swansway Stadium.
It was a bad day for everyone in the stadium as Radcliffe also missed out on the play-offs after losing from leading.
It was Radcliffe, who could have clinched fifth place with a win and Hyde dropping points, who settled better.
Sean Cooke sent a speculative effort wide, but just before the half hour, Radcliffe took the lead.
A cross from the right was met with a header from Jake Thompson, who buried it in the far corner, their overload at the back post paying off handsomely.
Nantwich tried to respond, Connor Evans broke in behind, Jack McIntyre came off his line and didn’t initially win the ball, but he stayed on his feet and was able to eventually block Evans’ shot. At the same time, Stalybridge took the lead at Atherton to put the other result Nantwich needed into place.
Aidy Roxburgh charged down the right side and cut inside then blazed over as Nantwich looked as they were still feeling the effects of playing less than 2 days earlier in Marske.
In the second half, the Dabbers looked a team transformed. Good subs from Paul Carden allowed more control in midfield and the chances started to flow.
9 minutes into the second period, Sean Cooke found Dan Cockerline who calmly slotted it away for the equaliser.
The momentum was all with the Dabbers now, and 15 minutes later they took the lead.
Evans got onto a ball over the top and finished brilliantly to send the home fans into rapture in a season-high crowd of 778.
It was dreamland shortly after as Stalybridge went 3-2 up over Atherton. For about 6 minutes, Nantwich were safe, but the dreams were extinguished as the Colls made it 3-3 and secured their safety at Nantwich’s expense.
So ends a 15-year stay for the Dabbers in the Northern Premier League Premier. After the game, Carden paid tribute to his players despite the disappointment, saying “Since I’ve come in I couldn’t have asked anymore from any single one of them.”
All photos by Jonathan White
Teams
Nantwich Town: Paddy Wharton, Aidy Roxburgh (Steven Hewitt, 45), Perry Bircumshaw, Nathan Okome, Jon Moran, Troy Bourne, Liam Humbles, Joel Connolly, Connor Evans (Jack Sherratt, 90), Sean Cooke (Byron Harrison, 78), Dan Cockerline
Subs not used: Tom Scully, Mo Malumo
Goals: Cockerline (54), Evans (69)
Radcliffe: Jack McIntyre, Jack Evans (Michael Brewster, 82), Connor O’Brien, Luke Joyce, Rick Smith, Olly Thornley, Matty Grivosti, Nicky Adams, Ewan Bange, Luca Navarro (Joe Pigott, 62), Jake Thompson (George Mercer, 74)
Subs not used: Ste Carter, Mikael Ndjoli
Goal: Thompson (29)
Attendance: 778