By Myles Hocknell, photos by Josh Tyler-Williams
Nantwich Town FC Women were beaten 4-2 by Tranmere Rovers at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Sunday, despite a much-improved second-half performance from the Dabbers.
Nantwich started brightly, with two crosses into the box inside the opening three minutes, but it was Tranmere who took the lead on five minutes with a long-range strike from outside the box.
The hosts then doubled their advantage from the penalty spot before adding a third with a long-range effort that looped over the Nantwich goalkeeper, leaving little that could be done to prevent the ball from finding the net.
The Dabbers’ first shot on target came from Corie Mather, although her effort was comfortably saved by the Tranmere goalkeeper. Katie Greenwood also tried her luck from distance, but her effort went wide.
As the half progressed, Nantwich began to grow into the game and produced some promising attacking moves. One flowing team move saw Charlotte Crees play Amanda Fallon through, only for the forward to be flagged offside.
Despite the improvement towards the end of the half, Tranmere took a 3-0 lead into the break.
Nantwich returned from the interval with renewed intent, and they pulled a goal back within three minutes of the restart. A quick throw from Meg Ragdale found Fallon, who produced a composed finish, looping the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
The Dabbers almost found a second shortly afterwards. Crees’ effort towards the bottom-left corner was spilled by the goalkeeper, with Fallon following up and striking the ball against the keeper before it was eventually turned behind for a corner.
Layla Woollam then showed great determination to take on several Tranmere players before attempting to finish the move herself, but her effort was dragged wide.
From another promising corner, Mather’s delivery was met by Sam Cawley, whose header flew just over the bar as Nantwich continued to push for another goal. The Dabbers were much improved in the second half, with Tegan Ansell the next to test the Tranmere goalkeeper, firing straight at the keeper from distance.
Tranmere eventually restored their three-goal advantage with a well-worked team move to make it 4-1.
Nantwich continued to look dangerous, with Abi Poulton, Fallon and Crees all attempting to close the deficit through free kicks, although each effort went high and wide.
The pressure finally paid off when Poulton delivered a corner into the box for Woollam, who rose highest to head the ball into the net and reduce the deficit to 4-2.
Despite a strong second-half showing and continued pressure from the Dabbers, Tranmere held on to secure the victory. Full-time: Tranmere Rovers 4-2 Nantwich Town
The GOAT Nantwich Player of the Match was awarded to Tegan Ansell after her relentless efforts in the centre of midfield.
Starting 11: Chloe Swindell, Meg Andrews, Corie Mather, Sam Cawley, Tabby Rushton, Katie Greenwood, Meg Ragdale (C), Layla Woollam, Amanda Fallon, Tegan Ansell, Charlotte Crees.
Substitutes: Anna Shimizu, Sasha Johnson, Poppy Emery, Abi Poulton.