Davenham (2:1) Nantwich Town (Drinkwater, Kennerley)
Davenham continued their fine Summer form as they notched up their 4th win out of 5 matches, beating a new look Nantwich Town at the Knights Grange Arena. Both teams played their part in a a sporting yet competitive match with the mighty Mid Cheshire men taking the 2:1 win.
Davenham started the match the brighter of the two teams, with two early Whitney shots curling over the bar, laying out the intent from the Goldmen. Hodnett looked lively down the left flank and following a great individual run was unlucky to have a drilled shot saved by the Nantwich stopper. However, with Davenham making the most of the attacking play, Nantwich still looked dangerous; Wallwork made a fine save, when it looked like the Davenham defence had been breeched. Davenham continued to attack at pace and Kennerley went inches wide with a well struck shot. Davenham continued to make chances and with a little more composure could really have been out of sight by half time. Rogerson clipped one over the bar, and Hodnett cut inside the Nantwich back line to rifle a shot past the stranded keeper but agonisingly the wrong side of the post. Heaword, playing in the left full back position, put in a very assured performance and excelled in both his defensive and attacking duties. The first half finished 0:0 and while the Davenham play was generally good, there was more work required to ensure that the midfield bridged the gap between defence and midfield and further more midfield and attack. With three changes at half time, Wadsworth retired claiming his second clean sheet in two games.
Come the second half Kirkness and Whitney started biting into the tackles and Davenham were now winning all of the 50:50 battles in midfield; it wasn't long before Kennerley played in the in-form Drinkwater who's pace took him beyond the Nantwich defence and a lobbed effort dropped into the back of the net. The Goldmen's line erupted, 1:0 to the Davenhamers. Nantwich hit back and were denied an equaliser when Wallwork athletically punched a goal bound shot around the post. Matty Dufty brought some quality to the passing from midfield and following sustained pressure a superb Whitney corner found Kennerley who nodded home his second headed goal in two games. 2:0 and the Northwich outfit were coasting. Davenham continued to make half chances with the defence of Stitch, Antrobus, Hill, Heaword and later Burrows looking solid. However, indecision in the back four let in Nantwich for an opportunist goal and all of a sudden with 15 minutes to go, it was game on. Hodnett led the team by example with an excellent energetic display, always committed to the tackle; unfortunately the midfield maestro sustained a nasty looking injury when both he and the brave Nantwich keeper clashed for a 50-50 ball. Nantwich never really looked like providing an equaliser and the game remained 2:1 - a good win for Davenham against a much improved South Cheshire 1st Division team.
Drinkwater took man of the match for an excellent performance at CM and as striker - good work fella, your great Summer form has been noted and four goals over the Summer is a good return for your effort.
