Connor Heath’s brace and Byron Harrison’s second half header helped the Dabbers to a 3-1 victory against the league leaders.
The Dabbers welcomed table toppers Kidsgove Athletic to the Swansway Stadium on Saturday with the Dabbers hoping to pick up their second win a week after beating Runcorn Linnets 3-1 in midweek.
The Visitors started the brighter of the two sides and they had the first chance in the sixth minute when Nathan Morley broke down the left side, he crossed to Jordan Cole but his header was wide of the goal.
Despite the visitors bright start it was The Dabbers who took the lead in the 10th minute. New signing Cameron Rooney crossed for Connor Heath who was able to get a toe on it and poke it past Kieran Harrison in the Kidsgrove goal.
Heath and Rooney continued to be the focal point of the Dabbers attack and the broke again when Heath won the ball in the Kidsgrove half and found Rooney, who crossed for Byron Harrison but his effort was blocked.
In the 15th minute the visitors were awarded a penalty in rather bizarre fashion. Joel Connolly seemed to be fouled by Jordan Cole in the box but the referee gave a foul the other way and pointed to the spot, much to be bemusement of everyone in the ground. Grove skipper Lewis Bergin stepped up and saw his penalty saved by Moloney who guessed the right way and pushed the spot kick to safety
In the 25th minute, Dabbers centre half Nathan Okome danced his way into the box before seeing his effort from the right well saved by the keeper, Paddy Kay then blazed wide from the rebound.
After the goals The Dabbers continued to push for a second and came close again when Stevie Hewitt worked a good position in the box but had the snatched away at the last second.
At the break the Dabbers were good value for their lead. Kidsgrove had enjoyed more of the ball in the later exchanges of the half but the Dabbers stood firm and lead at the break.
Two minutes after the break The Dabbers doubled their lead when Cameron Rooney broke down the right and crossed into the box. His cross was cleared as far as Connor Heath who thundered home the rebound from close range. The visitors almost replied instantly but Scott Moloney was on hand to save a low strike from the right side before reacting to rebound and saving well.
In the 55th minute Moloney was forced into action to comfortably save Joe Woolley’s deflected effort.
On the hour mark Kidsgrove halved the deficit when the ball broke to Ernest Ofosu on the edge of the box and he thundered home a strike into the top corner giving Moloney no chance.
Five minutes later the Dabbers had the chance to add a third when Rooney played through Connor Heath who bared down on goal but saw his effort saved by the on-rushing keeper. Following this miss it only took the Dabbers two minutes to add that elusive third goal. Stevie Hewitt whipped in an exquisite cross which was met by Byron Harrison who headed into the bottom corner to double the Dabbers lead.
The Dabbers were really on top and looked to add a fourth when Cameron Rooney latched onto a defensive error before firing in a low cross that was just out of reach of Harrison who couldn’t quite catch up with it.
Scott Butler drove into the Kidsgrove half, exchanged passes with Kai Evans before taking aim from the edge of the area but it was dragged wide of the near post.
The visitors had a chance of their own in the 78th minute when Lewis Potter headed over from a corner from the right side.
Kidsgrove were throwing everything at The Dabbers and Nantwich looked to catch them on the counterattack when Rooney played in Eric Yahaya. The Dabbers forward had Kai Evans in space but opted to go on his own and struck an effort straight at the keeper.
As the referee blew the full-time whistle it was the Dabbers who picked up all three points after a superb performance over the league leaders.
TEAM NEWS:
Nantwich Town | Scott Moloney, Joel Connolly, Ahmed Ali (Mohamud Ali 90’), Nathan Okome, Troy Bourne, Scott Butler, Paddy Kay, Stevie Hewitt, Byron Harrison (Kai Evans 75’), Cameron Rooney, Connor Heath (Eric Yahaya 79’)
Subs not used: Sean Cooke, Dylan Thomspon,
Kidsgrove Athletic | Kieran Harrison, Jack Bromfield (Owen Harrison 57’), Lewis Bergin ©, Ernest Ofosu, Declan O’Riordan, Scott Lycett (Lewis Porter 71’), Kieran Knapper, Callum Lovatt (Tyrone Cadeau 28’), Jordan Cole, Joe Woolley, Nathan Morley
Subs not used: Connor Bentley.