OUR CUP SCALPS SHOW THE WAY

PAUL Carden believes Nantwich Town were victims of their own success last season – but says their giant-slaying cup exploits reignited his belief that promotion is within reach.

- Chris Dunlavy

The Dabbers reached the fourth round of the FA Trophy and the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, beating the likes of Banbury, Chester and York along the way.

In the league, however, it was a different story. Carden’s side – relegated from the NPL Premier in 2023 – struggled to build momentum and eventually finished tenth, six points off the play-off spots.

“We played 15 games in the cups before Christmas,” says former Warrington Town boss Carden, who joined the Dabbers in February 2023 after a short-lived spell at AFC Telford United.

“That is going to have an impact at some point and, unfortunately, you saw that in our league form.

“You see at higher levels that when a team plays in the Champions League they often don’t get a win at the weekend. I’m not saying we’re Champions League and I’m not saying we’re Premier League, but if it affects big clubs with big squads then it is obviously going to affect us.