There is nothing quite like home comforts, but Nantwich Town manager Phil Parkinson has no problem going on the road in the Buildbase FA Trophy on Saturday.
Nantwich are unbeaten in 11 away games this season – winning seven and drawing four – while their home form has been somewhat patchy, losing four of their eight games at Weaver Stadium.
A trip to fellow Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division side Warrington Town in first round qualifying is undoubtedly a tough ask, but the Dabbers have already proven they can win at Cantilever Park this season.
Warrington Town v Nantwich Town
Buildbase FA Trophy
First Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 29 October 2016
Cantilever Park
By Luke Baker
In September, a Sean Cooke double and a Curtis Jones effort – all in the final 10 minutes – saw them overturn a two-goal deficit to win 3-2.
And Parkinson says his side’s good recent form, with just one loss in their last 14 games, has him full of confidence.
“I’m definitely very happy with how things are going at the moment,” said Parkinson. “We’re undefeated away from home this season, which we’re delighted with.
“We want to turn round our home form – our performances have been of a good standard, even if the results haven’t been there, and we had a good run in the FA Cup, so we’re happy with where we’re at.
“Everyone keeps asking me why our away form is so good and I honestly can’t put my finger on it.
“We’ve been dominating our home matches but then conceding against the run of play. We’ve played well but not taken our chances and been punished.
“It’s frustrating to be going so well on the road compared to our home form but I’m confident things will pick up at home.”
The Buildbase FA Trophy holds fond memories for Nantwich after they reached the semi-finals last season, eventually losing 6-4 on aggregate to National League side Halifax after a pair of enthralling last-four clashes.
The Dabbers beat three teams from higher divisions during last season’s run and Parkinson acknowledges the competition will now always hold a special place in his heart.
“The whole FA Trophy experience last season was fantastic,” he added.
“The best moment was probably our first big scalp, which was Stockport County away [in third round qualifying].
“Just the atmosphere and the way we played throughout the run will stick with me for a long time and we produced performances of such high quality. The club took a huge amount of pride from it – we would love to go on a run again.”
FA Trophy history
Nantwich’s best performance came last season as they reached the semi-finals, losing to Halifax.
They had successfully navigated through 10 rounds – beating Salford City, Stockport County and Dover Athletic en route.
Warrington’s best performance came in 1992/93 as they reached the quarter-finals.
Did you know?
In 1995, Andy Locke scored a hat-trick for Nantwich in just two minutes and 20 seconds against Droylsden in FA Cup first round qualifying. That is a record that still stands as the fastest treble in FA Cup history.
One to watch
Sean Cooke has already netted 10 goals for Nantwich this term – including a hat-trick in a 4-0 league win over Grantham – and could hold the key to progression.
The prize
The winners earn a place in second round qualifying and a cheque for £2,700.
