Nantwich Town must do it all again

Sep 17 2008 by Peter Morse, Crewe Chronicle

Nantwich Town 0 FC United 0

DANNY Griggs missed a second vital penalty in eight days and now Nantwich Town must try again to progress in the FA Cup tonight.

The Dabbers could only draw with FC United of Manchester in the first qualifying round in front of a record 1,784 spectators at the Weaver Stadium on Saturday.

Winger Griggs was denied from the spot by keeper Sam Ashton with less than 15 minutes left, and frustration boiled over when Peter Heler was sent off late on.

Loan keeper Andreas Aristedou, from Blackburn, made a heroic save late on to ensure the replay, which is at Bury’s Gigg Lane (7.45pm).

Boss Steve Davis said: “It was a good game of football with little between the sides. Danny failing with the penalty was a setback and Dave Walker could have scored a couple.

“We haven’t quite got the rhythm in the side that we are used to. Credit to Andreas, he arrived for a difficult game but has come out of it with flying colours. We are indebted to Blackburn for their assistance.”

Aristedou, 19, has joined for a month after Lee Jones failed to recover from a dead leg sustained in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Leigh Genesis, during which Glyn Blackhurst’s goal earned a draw.

In the 12th minute, United keeper Ashton brilliantly tipped over from Heler’s powerful drive, and a Charlie O’Loughlin header was inches over the bar following a corner.

Ashton remained the busier of the two keepers throughout the first half and again had to repel a rasping 22-yard drive from Heler.

But in the 28th minute, former Crewe Alex professional Kyle Wilson should have given the Reds the lead but missed the target with just the keeper to beat.

Both sides had spurned second-half chances before Liam Shotton was floored in the penalty area. Griggs saw his spot kick saved by Ashton at the foot of his left-hand post.

In the 78th minute, Heler received a second caution for a heavy challenge. And in injury time, Arestidou brilliantly saved on his line from a close-range effort.

The winners of tonight’s replay have been drawn at home to FC Halifax Town in the next round, to be staged on Saturday, September 27.