Nantwich claimed another win in the second game of pre-season, with a 4-0 win over Rocester at Hillsfield.
It was a match where fitness eventually played its part, 1-0 at half time was stretched out as the game wore on. There was also the customary wet weather which did claim other friendlies in the area but not this one in Staffordshire.
There were several Nantwich connections in the Romans side, Danny Griggs as player/manager, Tom Consterdine and Pete Griffiths among the familiar names.
Dan Cockerline hit the post after just 3 minutes, as he opened his body to curl a shot around the keeper Troy Taylor but just off the woodwork.
The scoring was opened on 14 minutes. Ollie Holden, starting again, was a livewire and created the goal with a direct run that attracted Rocester defenders and after working it across, allowed space for Steven Hewitt to smash in from close range.
Cockerline came close again just after the half hour, before Rocester’s first real attack saw Sam Bates’ run stopped by good goalkeeping from the trialist keeper in the Dabbers goal who came out to smother. There were two trialist keepers in this game for the Dabbers, each getting a half to show their ability.
Caspar Hughes got the wrong contact on a shot after more good work from Holden. Then there were problems with injuries that Paul Carden mentioned afterwards.
Sean Cooke was due to start but had to pull out with a knock. Then during the game, Dylan Thompson, Holden, Jack Sherratt and Perry Bircumshaw all came off with different issues.
In the second half, the Dabbers doubled the lead just two minutes in via the penalty spot. In a carbon copy of Saturday against Whitchurch, Byron Harrison put the ball to the goalkeeper’s left as the keeper dived the other way.
Callum Saunders came off the bench and quickly grew into the game, lobbing Taylor but being flagged offside and just missing the target after being put through by Hughes.
Hughes himself had an effort just clawed away by Taylor which would have caused debate again had it gone in as to whether it was a cross or shot like Perry’s at the weekend.
Saunders found the net on 72 minutes, his first since re-signing for the Dabbers. And it was a brilliant finish from the left edge of the box, low across Taylor into the far corner.
He got his second just 4 minutes later. A fine corner was nodded in at close range by Callum to make it four and surely start to build his confidence ahead of the upcoming season.
He could have easily had a hat trick or more, firing over and seeing another shot saved. Jacob Edwards, also off the bench, could have grabbed a goal too after a good run but pulled it wide, before clearing off the line at the other end late on to maintain the Nantwich clean sheet.
There was also a late first team debut for Haruto Greenland, who joined Holden in making his breakthrough from the youth team in the early stages of pre season.
The Dabbers now prepare to travel to North Wales to face Colwyn Bay on Saturday.
Teams
Rocester FC: Troy Taylor, Matt Nutt, Logan Toplis, Brandon Alkins, Miles Johnson, Owen Parr, Sam Bates, Tom Consterdine, Lewis McMurdo, Rhian Graham, Danny Griggs
Subs: Lewis Jackson, Callum Niven, Logan Taylor, Charlie Lucy, Callum Laven
Nantwich Town: Trialist A, Joel Connolly, Perry Bircumshaw, Nathan Okome, Troy Bourne, Dylan Thompson, Steven Hewitt, Caspar Hughes, Dan Cockerline, Jack Sherratt, Ollie Holden
Subs: Trialist x4, Byron Harrison, Callum Saunders, Jacob Edwards