Nantwich Town 1 FC United 6 - full report

Source: Crewe Chronicle

Feb 10 2010 by Peter Morse, Crewe Chronicle

Nantwich Town 1 FC United 6

PETE Hall admitted he was too distraught to face anyone after Saturday’s humiliating defeat.

The fiercely passionate Nantwich boss was crushed by the 6-1 thrashing – a record reverse at the Weaver Stadium.

He declined to speak to Press afterwards for fear his raw emotions would spill over into print.

But the former roofer pulled no punches when he later opened up to the Chronicle.

Hall said: “I was sick after the game. Distraught. I put a massive amount of work into it. I was so up for the game. It was massive for us.

“Although the scoreline in no way reflects what the game was like, we gifted them all six goals. The players have to be responsible for their performances.

“Far too many of them are falling well below the standards they are capable of.

“You could hear a pin drop in the dressing room afterwards. I let them know how I felt.

“But now I need to galvanise the players again. We need to work hard together and I believe we can put things right.”

After losing the Premier Division play-off final in extra-time last season expectations were high for the Dabbers.

They have actually won four of their last six but their league position – 13th – is a worry.

Hall has done his best to keep the squad fresh and Harry Davis, on loan from Crewe, made his debut on Saturday.

But the teenager suffered a baptism of fire as his new team-mates crumbled all around.

United went ahead on five minutes through on-loan Macclesfield Town striker Kyle Wilson.

Nantwich quickly drew level when midfielder Glyn Blackhurst teed up Micky Lennon, but on 23 minutes Wilson’s 15-yarder made it 2-1.

Goals either side of the break, from Simon Carden and Ben Deegan, gave the Dabbers a mountain to climb in front of the 1,171 crowd.

Nantwich registered 15 attempts on goal but even when the visitors were reduced to 10-men after Ludovic Quistin received a second booking, things failed to improve.

Jerome Wright rounded keeper Lee Jones for 5-1 and former Alex trainee Wilson completed his hat-trick.

The Dabbers entertain third-bottom Frickley Athletic on Saturday before visiting Burscough on Tuesday.

Stoke City reserves will take on Arsenal reserves at the Weaver Stadium tonight (7pm).

The club is holding a half-term coaching course for youngsters from Monday to Friday next week. Call Pete Hall on 07967 634002 for details.