[themaclad]

Lancaster City 1 Bailey C Nantwich Town 1 Heath Att 309


A day so warm anyone with ginger hair could have spontaineously combusted, saw me cricket less, we play tomorrow, had a choice of games, Morecambe, AFC Blackpool, Accrington or this one, given the score at Accie 4-4 probably made the wrong choice. Dry bobbly pitch, searing heat which left all those watching looking for available shade.
Used to go fairly regular to City but the last few yeras this has tailed off, the dreaded pandemic meant it was easier not to go than to make the effort to travel. So given the free Saturday I was Axe bound. Arrived in good time as the bells of Lancaster Priory could be heard. Three ex league players were in the squad, David Norris for Lancaster and ex Crewe duo A J Leitch-Smith and Shaun Miller
Early season rustiness in both sides as the ball was mainly booted skywards, occasionaly both sides played it on the deck with Grant of the vistors looking to have a bit of skill, little in the way of goalmouth action, it needed something to break the deadlock and a red card ten minuutes before the break could have been pivotal, Norris got clear and was brought down by the Dabbers Number 8 Robbins who got first use of the showers

The Dabbers got to the break level with game management tactics
City spread the play wide at the start of the second half Charlie Bailey hit a post but was not denied for long, working the ball across the pitch Bailey was in acres of space slotted home 1 up.
From then on City should have strolled home but stopped using their heads and launched long ball after long ball into the box, they paid for it with 17 minutes left, long ball down the pitch no pressure on Cooke ball to Heath who chipped over the advancing keeper

Cityb replied with a shot well saved by the keeper however it was the visitors deep in injury time who could have won it with a shot which just cleared the bar
The temperature in the car on the way home was 30C Scorchio