7.45pm Tuesday 21 March 2017 Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Att : 531 at the Weaver Stadium
T H E D A B B E R R E P O R T
NANTWICH TOWN 2
HANCOCK 39 ’, JOHNSTON 48 ’
BLYTH SPARTANS 2
ARMSTRONG 33 ’, 61 ’
By Jack Jones
Nantwich Town made it 14 league games unbeaten as they drew 2-2 at home to league leaders Blyth Spartans .
The game started at a fast pace , as both sides looking to get forward quickly and get on the front foot . The Dabbers shaded the opening stages , as Sean Cooke went close after five minutes , putting a shot just wide of the far post after being set up by John Johnston .
After what had been an even first 30 minutes , Blyth took the lead . Armstrong beat the Dabbers defence down the left and advanced into the penalty area . He then bent in a low finish into the far corner from a tight angle to put the Spartans ahead .
The Dabbers weren ’ t behind for long however and equalised six minutes later . A free kick into the box found its way to Hancock . He showed great technique and improvisation to volley a stunning overhead kick past a startled Woolston to bring the scores level .
The goal had clearly lifted the home side and they were ahead three minutes after the restart . A ball forward picked out Johnston and he twisted his man inside and out before curling low past Woolston to put the Dabbers in front .
The Dabbers went in search of a third to really put themselves in control . The Dabbers then had a great chance on 55 minutes when they broke with numbers . The ball eventually fell to Hancock , with just Woolston to beat , but the keeper did well to save from the Nantwich man .
Blyth weren ’ t behind for much longer though and levelled through a superb bit of play . Maguire played Armstrong in behind the Dabbers defence and the latter showed great composure to calmly round Gyollai and slot home his second of the game to once again level things up .
Neither team could find that final chance to snatch all three points and the match ended in a draw . It was a fair result for both teams , who had put on a great show and deserved a point for their efforts .
Nantwich Town : Gyollai , White , Touray , J . Stair , Harrison ( C . Jones 69 ’), Hall ( c ), Johnston , Bell , Peers ( Mukendi 65 ’), Cooke , Hancock ( S . Jones 74 ’).
Unused subs : Riley , Brooke .
Blyth Spartans : Woolston , Cartwright , Liddle , Pell ( c ), Hutchinson , Watson ( Rivers 58 ’), Laidler ( Wrightson 75 ’), McTiernan , Maguire , Armstrong , Reid .
Unused subs : Pattison , Buddle , Bell . Referee : M . Barlow
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