By Oliver Shorland, photos by Jonathan White and Peter Robinson
Luke Goddard’s side recorded a dominant win on Tuesday night, as they cruised to a 4-0 victory against Congleton Town to secure their first league victory of the season.
An eventful first half saw chances for both sides, but it was the Dabbers who capitalised first.
After a piece of dazzling skill from Perry Bircumshaw, he managed to switch it to the opposite flank, finding Aidy Roxburgh in space; the full-back cut inside his defender, driving towards goal before curling his effort into the bottom left corner to give the home side the lead.
It was then nearly two in two minutes for Luke Goddard’s men as Bircumshaw was able to force a save out of Dave Parton in the Congleton goal.
Yet another chance soon followed as Ethan Hartshorn clipped in Ollie Pope, who was unable to find his footing before the away goalkeeper came to collect.
The play was soon at the other end of the pitch, however, as the ball pin-balled round the box as Congleton looked to capitalise on missed chances at the other end, but it was put clear to safety.
Congleton would have another opportunity soon after with a speculative effort from Joao Soares falling into the hands of Cian O’Shea.
The end-to-end nature of the game would continue as the first half progressed; the Dabbers at it again had his time around, as Hancock played Pope through on goal but he blazed over.
The first half craziness would then continue, as Josh Hancock was sent off for an off-the-ball incident.
With the home side down to ten men, Congleton would hold the majority of the ball for the following five minutes, but wouldn’t do much with it.
The numbers were then evened up as Rob Stevenson clattered into Roxburgh, leading to his dismissal.
It then looked like the away side should have been down another man, as Parton collided with an onrushing Pope on the edge of the box, but only a yellow was given by the referee this time around.
The disappointment of the goalkeeper not being dismissed soon turned to delight for the home fans through Joe Piggott.
A delightful free kick was sent looping over the Congleton wall before nestling into the top left corner to double his side’s lead.
The Dabbers would continue their dominance into the second period, adding another less than 10 minutes in; a corner found the head of Tom Graves at the near post, his first goal in senior football.
As the game drifted away from them, Congleton looked to reduce the deficit from a corner; played short, the following attempt was smashed over the bar, however.
Things would then get even better for the home side, who added a fourth as substitute Luke Enright, who had come on just minutes earlier, was played in by a wonderful ball from Graves and managed to hold off his defender to increase the advantage.
With twenty minutes left on the clock, the game became scrappy for both teams, with chances few and far between.
This pattern would continue as time dwindled, with little more than speculative efforts from the away side as they looked to secure a consolation goal.
The Dabbers will now look to add to their points tally this Saturday as they travel across the county to take on 1874 Northwich.
Teams:
Nantwich: Cian O’Shea, Aidy Roxburgh (Joe Collins 33’), Joe Piggott, Harry Davis (C), Paddy Kennedy (AJ Kandeke 45’), Will Smith (Luke Enright 62’), Ethan Hartshorn, Ollie Pope (Collins Kagame 68’), Josh Hancock, Perry Bircumshaw
Unused Substitutes: Callum Saunders
Goals: Roxburgh (6’), Piggott (34’), Graves (53’), Enright (64’)
Red card: Josh Hancock (21’)
Congleton: Dave Parton, Marco Fregapane (Matthew Gillam 63’), Owen Morris, Peter Williams, Julius Ndene (C), Kieran Knapper (Taylor Kennerley 79’), Shakeel Jones-Griffiths, Rob Stevenson, Joao Soares (Matthew Liptrott 66’), Theo Knight (Dallas Omoruyi 77’)
Unused Substitutes: Richard Duffy
Red card: Rob Stevenson (27’)
Attendance: 432