Eastwood sparkles despite loss

MICKLEOVER SP 0 NANTWICH TOWN 1

THE MARGIN of victory was only one goal but it could have been wider but for the heroics of Jake Eastwood in the Mickleover goal.

Arguably the better team on the day won as Nantwich carved out the majority of the chances, but it was a tight and tense affair and for long periods it was difficult to work out which way the game would go.

The principal note of controversy was the display of referee Ryan Watson whose reading of what was a foul or a card was variable to say the least and caused much frustration and irritation for both teams, the managers and also all of the supporters inside the ground watching the close-fought and evenlymatched contest.

His dismissal of Sports’ defender Ben Turner just before half-time was the most controversial of those decisions. It was not brilliantly received by his team or his manager and changed the contest and turned the fixture on its head.

The winning goal came from Ben Harrison on 79 minutes with a low strike from outside the area that was worthy of winning any contest.

Sports rallied after that but were unable to find a way back into the game.

And they could have conceded a second in the 90th minute when Josh Hancock’s shot hit the upright.

However, they survived the scare – although it did little to change the tide of the fixture overall.

Mickleover will be frustrated by their inability to turn possesion and chances into goals, and although Nantwich did well, the home side will feel as though they could have done so much more to take something out of the game.

In comparison, it was a real smash and grab raid from a well drilled and organised Nantwich side who dug deep when needed.