Nelson 1-2 Cheadle Town
The return of the away wins. Hallelujah. After the past two trips where we failed to score in either this win was like finding your comfort blanket again.
We arguably had the better of the first half and Chris Sherrington's teasing cross in from the left in what was the first action of the match laid down a marker.
On the 16th minute we crafted our first decent chance when James Dunn drove into the area on the right and put his effort just wide.
Chris Sherrington and Rick Whyatt had long-range efforts easily stopped before the latter was then put through just before the half-hour mark only for him to stab his effort wide.
Another of those teasing crosses from Chris Sherrington presented Jake Ambrose with a chance on a plate soon afterwards but he miscued his effort and it squirmed harmlessly wide.
On the 39th minute we finally got the breakthrough with a well-worked goal. A throw-in from the left found Aaron Fleming who drove into the area, picked out the unmarked Ton Ratican on the right for him to pick his spot with a cool finish.
Nelson only had one clear-cut chance to their name in the first half and it was thanks to Danny Whiting's excellent stop in the 18th minute that the hosts went into the break with nothing to show.
Just four minutes into the second half, though, the match was level.
A long ball through our middle caused a little bit of hesitancy in our back line with Danny Whiting forced to come out and win a one-on-one with Nelson's David Patrick. He did just that...but ended up booting his clearance off Patrick's legs and was helpless as the rebound rolled into the net. Not the first comical goal we have conceded to Nelson this season.
Up the other end Jake Ambrose's good footwork on the edge of the area got himself into a decent shooting position but his effort was blocked with him then seizing on a poor clearance from the keeper and squaring for Rick Whyatt, but that effort was saved and all.
Nelson's Joseph Rodriguez then curled an effort inches wide of the post before they then had two really good chances to take the lead as they put the pressure on.
On 74 minutes David Patrick suddenly found himself clean through on goal but Danny Whiting was clever enough to shepherd him wide, forcing Patrick to spoon an effort past the post. Then with just nine minutes remaining Ross Knight connected with a cross and looked set to score but he poked his shot wide.
A second half that could have gone either way went that of the green-and-black with seven minutes remaining. Substitute Callum Collinson's cross from the right finding Rick Whyatt in the box for a thumping finish from close range.
Two minutes later Danny Whiting pulled off another great stop from close range before the final act of the match would see a Tom Russell drive tipped over the bar.
Our next two matches are at Park Road. We entertain Alsager Town in the Macron League Cup 2nd Round this Wednesday evening and then we welcome Bacup Borough this Saturday where another three points are at stake.
TEAM: Whiting, Dunn, Pearson, Trucca, Shaw (Russell), Harrison, Ratican, Fleming, Ambrose (Clarey), Whyatt, C Sherrington (Collinson). SUBS: Russell, Collinson, Clarey, Piggott (gk)
