The Dabbers come from behind twice to earn a point at The Swansway Stadium
The visitors came into the game following back-to-back wins and it didn’t take them long to take the lead when Tom Peterson swept the ball into the back of the net following their first real attack of the game in the fifth minute.
After going a goal behind, The Dabbers looked for an instant leveller. Both Stevie Hewitt and Connor Rankin found themselves in goalscoring positions, but they couldn’t work an opening.
Following a Dabbers corner, Bootle broke in numbers. Ben Hodkinson received the ball dowm the right and sent in a searching low cross that was met by Owen Robinson who look destined to score but Mohumad Ali threw himself Infront of the ball and blocked to prevent Bootle from doubling their lead.
After enjoying the better of the ball, The Dabbers finally made their pressure count on the half hour mark. Tyler Hill’s cross from the left was allowed to bounce in the box before Sean Smith’s headed clearance looped over his own keeper and nestled in the back of the net.
Five minutes later, Nantwich came close again when Connor Heath won the ball on the edge of the box. He shifted the ball onto his right foot before taking aim, his effort took a wicked deflection that forced Tony Thompson in the Bootle goal to readjust and make a fantastic save as he clawed his out of the top corner.
After getting back on level terms, Bootle were gifted the opportunity to retake the lead when Ahmed Ali tugged down his man in the box and the referee showed hesitation when pointing to the spot. Owen Robinson stepped up and sent Danny Roberts the wrong way to put Bootle ahead for the second time.
Despite having the better of the ball in the first half, The Dabbers were behind and had plenty of work to do go get back into the game.
In the early stages of the second half, Nantwich Town enjoyed the better of the ball but failed to do anything of note. Stevie Hewitt whipped in a few dangerous set plays but no one attacked it.
In the 65th minute The Dabbers finally made a set play count when Hewitt’s corner from the left was eventually headed home at the back post by Byron Harrison who reacted first to a loose ball in the box.
Thirteen minutes from time the ball fell to Ahmed Ali on the edge of the but his first-time effort whistled agonisingly wide of the far post.
In the dying embers of the game, Bootle broke quickly from a Dabbers freekick as a clearance fell to Jake Burton who weaved his way towards the Dabbers box before forcing Danny Roberts into a good save with an effort from outside the box.
As the clock ticked over into the added time, The visitors came close again when Athur lomax showed good feet to work space for a shot before crashing a lot effort off the upright
In the 93rd minute, Nathan Okome’s cross fell to Paddy Kay who volleyed towards goal but Thompson made a good save down low to his left. Moments later, bootle had a chance of their own to take maximum points when Burton was played in behind but Danny Roberts raced off his line to save well and keep the scores level.
After a frantic final few minutes at the Swansway Stadium, the referee eventually bought the game to an end and despite a much-improved performance the Dabbers they were forced to settle for a point.
Teams:
Nantwich Town | Danny Roberts, Paddy Kay, Tyler Hill, Mohamud Ali, Nathan Okome, Scott Butler, Stevie Hewitt ©, Ahmed Ali, Byron Harrison (Jake Kirby 80th) Connor Heath (Sean Cooke 45’), Connor Rankin.
Subs not used: Perry Bircumshaw, Cameron Rooney, James Speare
Bootle | Tony Thompson, James Cooper, Sean Smith, Sam Hughes, Scott Sephton, Adam Buxton ©, Sonny Hilton (Jake Burton 62’), Jack Lenehan, Tom Peterson (Arthur Lomax 85’), Owen Robinson, Ben Hodkinson (Michael Burkey 69’)
Subs not used: Craig Carney, Jack Bentley