Lift-off for Moran’s Dabbers as Nantwich hit Trafford for six
Jon Moran earned his first win as permanent Nantwich Town boss as the Dabbers secured their biggest league win in over nine years.
The Dabbers thrashed Trafford 6-0 in the NPL West Division to move to within two points of the play-off spots with games in-hand on all-but-one of the teams above them.
At the age of 27, Moran’s appointment saw him become the club’s youngest manager for 40 years.
His first game since taking the reins on a full-time basis ended in a 4-0 defeat at Chasetown in midweek, but the Nantwich boss was delighted to see his side respond to that setback in emphatic style.
“I think we played really well today,” he said after Saturday’s win.
“There were periods in the game on Tuesday where we played well [too]. The one thing I did say to the lads is there are a lot of doubters now, and a lot of people have asked me whether this group is good enough. I’ve been saying to them, ‘yes they are’.
“I fully back this group of lads, and what they’ve gone and done today is shown a reaction. They proved that they’re willing to work hard, go through tough times and come out of the other side.
“I couldn’t be happier for them. They ran their absolute socks off, and the quality came with it."
Former Wrexham youngster Kai Evans bagged a hat-trick - the first of his senior footballing career - and Byron Harrison scored twice from the penalty spot, after Patrick Kennedy had opened the scoring just four minutes in.
Saturday’s triumph was the club’s biggest in the league since September 2015, when Phil Parkinson’s Dabbers swept aside Ramsbottom 7-1.
“There are moments when you can have a bit of a turn in a season, and this might be it for us. That belief that they’ve now got [is important]," Moran added.
“We’ve now won three games and lost one of the last four I’ve managed, which isn’t a bad record. I’m really happy with the lads, but it’s not time to take our foot off the gas.
“We’ve still got a couple of gears left [to find], and even today there were moments where we could’ve been better.
“I’m really happy for the lads, and they deserve this win.”
