On a foul afternoon in Cheshire, Atherton Collieries conceded goals early doors and very late on which enabled the inform hosts Nantwich to re-enforce their NPL West title credentials with a 2-0 win.
Supporters were still taking their positions around the paddock when Nantwich struck first.
Kai Evans was fed on the left-hand side of the penalty area and his cross-shot somehow bamboozled everybody in the box. A strange goal to describe, but the Dabbers were in the ascendency.
Moments later the lead was almost doubled, Colls overplayed at the back and Callum Saunders’ smart chip from distance went narrowly wide.
Clegg’s men settled after the torrid start and were having their share of possession, but the Town defence worked well as a team and kept the visitors well marshalled.
Sol Honor confidently saved a couple of Nantwich half-chances, while Toba Obitayo’s long shot evaded the Town bar. It was his side’s only effort of note in a bland opening stanza.
The second half was a stop-start-stop-start affair, the ball seemed to be out of play more than it was in.
Colls were improved following a stern half-time word, but still did not really look like scoring.
On the hour mark, Joe Edwards bent in a rather inviting ball into the six-yard corridor of uncertainty, but nobody could apply a finishing touch.
Honor was the busier keeper, making a couple of vital blocks while a few efforts went narrowly wide of goal. Colls crafted at least two swift breaks, but the final passes out wide were lacking.
It was one of those days and Nantwich put the icing on the cake in the last minute of stoppage time.
Under determined pressure from a couple of markers, Tom Bentham scuffed a shot on the edge of the Town area who speedily marched up the field and Bryon Harrison’s finish was clinical. It was no more than they deserved.
A tough result on a tough day for the visitors, but full credit to Nantwich who look to have real title aspirations if this performance is the norm. Kudos to the excellent travelling support who kept the drum beating throughout.
The Black and White Stripes dust themselves down for two games this coming week.
Tomorrow, Lancaster City visit the Dreams2Reality Stadium for a Lancashire Challenge Trophy encounter (7.45pm), while Vauxhall Motors are in town on Friday for a league match (7.45pm).
