With Storm Bert putting paid too much of the action in Non-League in the North-West this weekend, we enjoyed an enforced Saturday off with our visit to Newcastle Town falling foul of the weather. Our attention now turns to this Saturday’s big game and the visit of Nantwich Town to the Vestacare Stadium.
The Dabbers hold a place in Avro’s history as they were the first Northern Premier League visitors to the Vestacare Stadium back on the opening day of the season August 2023, becoming the first victims of ‘Frostball’ falling to a 1-0 defeat, with Avro’s goal a fine strike from Joe Rathbone on the hour. It was a baptism of fire for Nantwich, coming off the back of 15 seasons in the NPL Premier Division, and they weren’t the last high profile team to come to OL8 and leave empty handed.
The return fixture at the Weaver Stadium on December 23rd was a game typical of our away form under Alex Frost and Phil Edghill. Avro dominated the game, taking an early lead through Ethan Kershaw, but then disaster struck, and the influential Deane Smalley was injured in a tackle after only 12 minutes and the enforced change caused the loss some of our momentum. Further chances fell our way, but as was so often the case last season, we couldn’t make them count and the Dabbers equalized just before half-time through Paddy Kay and the points were shared.
Avro Match Details: August 12 2023 W 1-0 ATT: 249
Shenton, Dom Smalley, Davidson, Morrow, Deane Smalley, Ebhote, Joe Rathbone(1), Crothers, Ellis, Fitzgerald, Muis, SUBS : Switters, Wilshaw, McCarthy, Sam Rathbone, Sullivan
Avro Match Details: December 23 2023 D 1-1 ATT: 413
Shenton, Bebeto, Wallwork, Crothers, Ebhote, Deane Smalley, Cottrell, Kershaw (1), Hawley, Harrop, Etaluku. SUBS : Frost, Ellis, Wharton, Anderton, Lent.
This season Nantwich are currently in the middle of fine form, undefeated in their last 4 NPL West games, with a solitary defeat at Hyde United in the Cheshire Cup. Away from home in the league, wins have come at Hanley, Newcastle, Kidsgrove, Vauxhall Motors and Runcorn Linnets, whilst a single point was collected at Clitheroe. Defeats came at Bootle, Chasetown and Mossley. So, there’s no one under any illusions at Avro that we will have to be at our very best at the Vestacare if we are to come away with the points. With an extra week to rest and get any injuries treated It’s all set for what should be an intriguing, entertaining game as we look to continue our good form and climb the table.
UP THE RO!
Written by Mark Hutton
