By Oliver Shorland
The Dabbers held on for a 3-2 victory over Lower Breck at a rainy Swansway Stadium to help ease midweek Cheshire Cup pain.
The first real chance of the game would bring the first goal; Luke Enright chased a loose ball down the right-hand side before sliding it into the path of Ethan Hartshorn to finish.
The Dabbers had a half chance to double their lead just a few minutes later.
This time Byron Moore worked the ball down the left-hand side before teeing up Joe Collins, who sliced his effort over the bar.
A pair of tame Lower Breck chances were sandwiched between the next goal for the home side.
Aidy Roxburgh, at the centre of it again, played a ball into the box, and Liam Morris turned it into the back of his own net to double the Dabbers’ lead.
Claims of offside from the away team delayed the celebrations, but after a discussion between the officials, the goal would stand.
Looking to change their fortunes, Lower Breck attempted what looked like a rehearsed free kick routine, but the chance ended with a tame effort that fell into the hands of Nantwich goalkeeper, Blake Wolsoncroft.
Ten minutes before half time, Roxburgh would put another ball into the box; however, it evaded everyone this time round.
The second half began as the first half ended, with Roxburgh in the thick of things.
A teasing cross from Ollie Pope nearly found its way to the fullback but, outstretched, Roxburgh was unable to get on the end of it.
Nantwich would add a third not a minute later though, Moore picking up a loose ball from the Lower Breck defence at the edge of the box, before curling his effort into the bottom left-hand corner.
The away side would catch the Dabbers on the break about ten minutes later, Moore dispossessed before a break up the pitch ended with a Sam Burns finish.
Nantwich had the chance to finish the game off with twenty to go as Ollie Pope was brought down in the box.
However, Joe Piggott’s attempt was well saved by Jacob Poytress.
As the game progressed, the Dabbers seemed to loosen their grasp on proceedings, with goalkeeper Wolsoncroft being put under constant pressure from the Lower Breck forward line.
Breck would nearly have a huge slice of luck in their attempts to reduce the lead, as a wild clearance from Paddy Kennedy went back over the defender’s head, but safely over the bar.
With Lower Breck still pushing for a second, Max McNulty would then come close, but his effort flashed wide of the mark.
In added time, the away side got their wish; a volley from Will Lawson found the bottom right corner, but it was too little, too late as Nantwich held on to secure the three points.
The Dabbers will now look towards a trip to Stalybridge Celtic next Saturday in an effort to climb further up the league table.
Teams
Nantwich: Blake Wosencroft, Aidy Roxburgh, Jack Stafford (James Baillie 63’), Ethan Hartshorn, Joshua McWilliams, Paddy Kennedy, Joe Collins, Joe Piggott (C), Ollie Pope (Zack Stritch 73’), Luke Enright, Byron Moore (Iwan Roberts 90’)
Unused substitutes: Reece Vaughan, Liam Fitzpatrick
Goals: Ethan Hartshorn 9’, Liam Morris (OG) 24’, Byron Moore 50’
Lower Breck: Jacob Poytress, Liam Morris, Dan McKenna (Toddy Woolland 75’), Will Lawson, Jack Hont, Connor Millington (C), Luke Gill, Jack McCourt (Jay Cooper 58’), Joe Clarke (Will Edmondson 59’), Sam Burns, Will McNulty
Goals: Sam Burns 58’, Will Lawson 90+2’
Attendance: 331