Grantham’s home league winning sequence came to an end with a 3-0 defeat to high flying Nantwich.
After a quiet opening 5 minutes the first real action saw Nantwich striker Liam Shotton go into the referee’s notebook following a very late challenge on Sam Purcicoe. Stefan Bilyk making a rare start for Grantham brought a save at the post from keeper Krystian Burzinski on 11 minutes and the keeper was in action again a minute later as he came out to collect the ball just ahead of Lee Shaw. Grantham continued to take the game to Nantwich and Bilyk saw his cross shot strike the bar on 15 minutes. Nantwich did threaten on 16 minutes but after advancing down the left Darren Thornton saw his cross go into the side netting. Nantwich were over hitting the final ball in the strong wind as Grantham continued to press. Danny Meadows turned on the edge of the box on 22 minutes but his cross was headed out by Nantwich defender Matt Bailey. Jamie McGhee shot narrowly wide on 23 minutes before Nantwich countered on 25 minutes but Matt Bell put his shot over from 15 yards. Curtis Burrows ran at the Nantwich defence on 26 minutes but his final shot went passed the far post. Grantham were getting good balls into the Nantwich box first Burzynski and then Bell were first to the ball. On 36 minutes Stefan Bilyk put the ball across the goal with no one able to get a touch. Nantwich finished the half strongly with Thornton and Steve Jones putting shots wide. Jones tested Jake Turner from 30 yards before the half ended with Thornton powering into the box before bring a save from Turner at the expense of a corner.
Grantham began the second half on the attack with Matt Bailey having to head away a Jamie McGhee cross in the first minute of the half. Rhys Lewis fired over from 25 yards on 49 minutes before McGhee saw his rising drive go just over a minute later. Danny Meadows saw his wind assisted effort from inside his own half pass narrowly wide on 52minutes. Grantham were pushing Nantwich back but Nantwich went close on 55 minutes but Sam Purcicoe got in a late header at the expense of a corner. Nantwich took a short corner and when the ball came into the box Matt Bell powered home a header from close range to put Nantwich ahead. Nantwich doubled their lead a minute later. Nantwich won the ball by the touchline and when Josh Hancock was played in he advanced to fire past Turner. Despite the setback Grantham continued to push forward. Jamie McGhee fired at the keeper from 25 yards on the hour before Danny Meadows saw his 25 yard free kick strike the post with Burzynski beaten. Nantwich’s Steve Jones was halted by great saving tackle from Ellis Storey when he threatened to burst through on 68 minutes. Grantham replaced Rhys Lewis who was struggling with a back injury with Jack Beckett after 74 minutes. Grantham brought on Lawrence Gorman for Curtis Burrows on 82 minutes. Grantham continued to press but couldn’t break down the Nantwich defence. Josh Hancock put a 30 yard free kick just over the bar on 84 minutes. Grantham went close to pulling a goal back on 87 minutes when Mickey Emmott’s in swinging corner was headed away from under the bar by a Nantwich defender. Emmott curled a shot wide in added time before Nantwich added a third goal when Turner lost the ball and substitute Sean Cooke pounced to net the loose ball.

Grantham
J Turner, D Meadows, M Emmott, M Hollingsworth, S Purcicoe, E Storey, J McGhee, R Lewis (J Beckett 74), L Shaw, S Bilyk, C Burrows (L Gorman 82)
Subs not used E Sweeting, J Towers

Nantwich
K Burzynski, A White, D Thornton, J Moran, M Bailey, E Osbourne, J Hancock (S Cooke 82), S Hall, L Shotton (J Gordon 82) M Bell, S Jones (M Kosyolo 72)
Subs not used L Short, T Smith
Referee Mr G Stretton

Yellow Cards - Grantham 1 Nantwich 2
Red Cards - 0

Free Kicks Conceded – Grantham 9 Nantwich 8

Corner Count – Grantham 5 Nantwich 4

Attendance 202