By Jonathan White, photos by Peter Robinson and Staci Hocknell
Nantwich Town FC Women fell to a rare defeat on Sunday 16th November 2025, losing 2–1 to higher-tier Poulton Vics FC Ladies in Round Two of the Cheshire FA Women’s Cup at the Swansway Stadium on Water Lode. While the cup run comes to an end, the result now allows the Dabbers to fully concentrate on their strong League campaign.
Supporters were treated to a warm welcome off the pitch, with every paying adult receiving a free tea or coffee courtesy of The Tea Lounge at Nantwich Town FC, open seven days a week at the Swansway Stadium.
Manager Dan Mellor handed a debut to new goalkeeper signing Connie Watts, who made her first appearance between the posts.
Dabbers starting XI: 1. C. Watts, 2. L. Bulkeley, 3. A. Mayer, 4. B. Ragdale, 5. M. Baldwin, 6. K. Greenwood, 7. A. Poulton, 8. M. Ragdale (captain), 9. A. Fallon, 11. A. Hatton, 12. L. Lander. Substitutes: S. Holden, J. Case, P. Smith, H. Knight, J. Buckley-Ratcliff.
Poulton Vics, who compete in the North West Women’s Regional League – Premier Division (one tier above Nantwich), arrived as tough opposition. But the Dabbers delivered an excellent first-half performance, taking a deserved 1–0 lead through Abi Poulton, sponsored by Ella & I Home Fragrance.
Nantwich looked set to take the advantage into the break, only to concede late into first-half injury time. A battling second half saw both sides push for the winner, but Poulton Vics took their chance to edge the tie and send the Dabbers out of the competition in cruel fashion.
Speaking after the match, manager Dan Mellor said:
“I’m incredibly proud of the players today. Over the 90 minutes I genuinely felt we were the better side and we showed we can more than compete with teams from the league above.
“Unfortunately, two poor goals from set pieces cost us and then the amount of added time at the end was frankly bizarre. To concede so late is a tough one to take, but the performance overall showed exactly how far we’ve come as a group and shows that we can compete at the level above.
“A big thank you to the fans today who really turned up and roared us on.”
Goalscorer Abi Poulton was named GOAT Player of the Match, earning a £50 voucher from GOAT, Nantwich’s newest High Street bar. Since stepping up from the Development Team this season, she has become an integral part of Mellor’s squad.
Exiting the Cup means Nantwich Town FC Women can now focus on their North West Women’s Regional League Division One South fixtures, where they remain unbeaten in ten League matches and will look to extend that impressive run.
There is still time to join the Dabbers Women’s journey for the 2025/26 season and beyond. Players interested in joining a friendly, ambitious club with top-class facilities can contact Dan Mellor on 07825 711101.
Fans can keep up with all the latest news, match action, and behind-the-scenes content on the official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NTFCLadies
Full fixture details can be found at: https://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/all-women-fixtures/
For those inspired to get involved, Women’s Recreational Football sessions run every Tuesday from 8–9pm on the Swansway Stadium pitch. Open to anyone aged 16+, these sessions offer fun, fitness and football. Email [email protected] for more details.