Nuneaton Town 2 Alfreton Town 0 (FA Trophy)

November 28th, 2015;

Nuneaton Town booked their place in the next round of the FA Trophy after a hard-fought win in difficult weather conditions at the A1 Gas Force Arena on Saturday.

Second half goals from Rob Duffy and Callum Chettle were enough to separate the two sides as Boro claimed their second victory over Alfreton in November – the home side having eased to a league win by the same scoreline earlier in the month.

Both teams struggled with the driving rain and fierce wind, but it was Nuneaton who created the better of the chances without causing too many problems for the keeper.

That all changed, however, in the 53rd minute when front man Rob Duffy picked up the ball after a storming run down the left by Cieron Keane and his powerful shot was parried by Matt Duke in the Alfreton goal.

Boro were beginning to take control and took the lead shortly after when Duffy slotted home from the penalty spot. Kabonga Tshimanga, on loan from MK Dons, was brought down in the box after he burst past a couple of Alfreton defenders and the referee didn’t hesitate to award the spot kick.

Alfreton were unable to raise their own game and test debutante keeper Zeus De La Paz, though they did come close in the 82nd minute when Stefan Galinski’s diving header cannoned off the foot of the post and out to safety.

They also had an effort cleared off the line by Jack Lane – but Nuneaton were defending resolutely and subsequently put the game to bed in stoppage time when Callum Chettle continued his run of goal scoring form.

Marlon Harewood took on and beat the stranded Alfreton keeper on the right hand side and neatly picked out Chettle who was able to slot the ball into an empty net to seal the win.

NUNEATON: De La Paz, Keane C, Lane, Maguire, Clifton, Morgan, Chettle, Whitehouse, Tshimanga (Keane J 90), Williams, Duffy (Harewood 72).
Subs not used: Daniels, Smith J.

ALFRETON: Duke, Moyo, Heaton, Allan, Galinski, Leesley, Jones, Jordan, Ironside (Johnson 72), Jackson, Robertson (Thanoj 78)
Subs not used: Smith, Wilson, Draper.

Attendance: 467