Lewie Tilley Sports News

By Lewie Tilley

Luke Goddard’s men came into this one looking to make up for their most recent performance, a 4-0 loss to Witton Albion back at the Swansway Stadium. However, getting a result against their opponents today would be difficult, as Bury have only lost once since the new year.

The Shakers proved their worth at the top of the table early in the first half as Nantwich struggled to get out of their own half, with chances for Rustam Stepans, Tom Carr and Louis White being blocked by the Dabbers defence.

The pressure was mounting on Nantwich around twenty minutes into the half, as more shots were blocked. Oscar Threlkeld’s volleyed effort looked to be heading into the bottom corner, but Ben Hockenhull did well to stop it.

Former Nantwich Town man Kai Evans had a massive chance to open the scoring as DJ Pedro had space on the left wing and found the forward with a free header in the box. With his goal-scoring record this year, the near 4000 in the stands must’ve expected the net to ripple, but his header flew over.

Bury continued their search for the opener as Evans almost curled one into the top corner before White’s goal-bound effort was heroically blocked once again. Evans then cut inside and unleashed another shot that didn’t cause any trouble for Ben Garratt.

Nantwich then had one of the best chances of the half as Aidy Roxburgh and Alex Panter linked up well to get the fullback in behind the Bury defence, but Roxburgh couldn’t convert as he tried to round Mitchell Allen before his shot cannoned back off him.

Panter and Roxburgh linked up once again as the Dabbers looked to take a lead against the run of play, but Panter couldn’t guide the cross goalwards with his head from close range.

Evans then had another big chance with a free kick right on the edge of the box, but once again the ball flew over the bar and into the stands, with the Nantwich fans giving a sarcastic cheer.

The hosts finally took the lead as White played a defence-splitting pass through to Evans, who had time and space to take a touch and pick out Carr, who rolled into an empty net, giving the title challengers a much-needed goal for their season.

It was clear Louis White wanted to score in this one, as the midfielder had another crack from distance, but just like his last two attempts, the Nantwich defence stood firm and blocked again.

The Shakers created a wonderful chance for Owen Robinson to put the game to bed as substitute Lewis Rawsthorn’s touch set the midfielder up on the edge, his driven strike crashed off the post.

The Nantwich defence was put to the test once again as Stepans and Jordan Lazenbury had chances to double the lead, which were blocked by the defence, who were brilliant throughout the game.

The Dabbers looked to take advantage of a last-gasp opportunity late in the match as Panter drove into the box and had his shot blocked.

The ball fell to Paddy Jarrett just inside the box, who looked to have been bundled over by Lazenbury, but referee Dan Hitchell waved it away despite strong claims from the Nantwich faithful, players and staff.

The Dabbers then had one last chance to take a point back to the Swansway Stadium from a corner. With Garratt in the box, Kennedy’s looping header was punched away by Allen and fell to Joe Collins, who was unable to take the last opportunity and fired it over the bar.

Nantwich’s next fixture sees them take on Darlaston back at home for the rearranged fixture on Tuesday 14th April, before another tough test as league title challengers Avro FC visit as the hunt for 8th place continues.