Nuneaton Town 1 Brackley Town 0

Tuesday 11th August, 2015;

Match report courtesy of Nuneaton News;

Nuneaton Town made it six points out of six as they showed a defensive steel to go alongside their free-flowing football against Brackley.

The Boro took the lead in just the second minute in what was their first home outing of the season – and never looked like surrendering it – as they outplayed Brackley, never really giving their opponents a look in at the A1 Gas Force Arena.

Truth be told the result should have been a lot more than the 1-0 it ended up as Aaron Williams and Marlon Harewood both had chances to put the game to bed, the former could easily have walked away with a hat-trick on another night.

As it was, though, the Boro had to settle for one, to go alongside the three they netted away at Chorley on the opening day, giving them maximum points after the first two games of the campaign.

The game was only two minutes old when Harewood opened his account for the club, tapping home from two yards out after a cut back from the left hand side by James Reid. Things nearly got better minutes later but Aaron Williams was unable to add the second goal like he did at the weekend after he was once again fed through by a quality through ball from midfield, this time from Shane Byrne.

The chances kept coming after that as Williams had a pop shot from the edge of the box that fizzed wide and Harewood sent a long distance, angled, effort wide when Dan Crane was caught out of his goal – despite those openings the lead remained at one.

It really should have been two inside the opening ten minutes of the second half but that man Williams again was twice denied, first by Crane and then by Curtis McDonald, after the former Rushall Olympic man had pounced on some sloppy play by the Brackley backline.

McDonald soon went from hero to villain as 15 minutes later he was shown a straight red card for a horrible challenge on Boro right back James Clifton.
The Brackley man went in two footed – and late – and was sent back to the showers early for one of the easiest decisions referee Neil Hair will get to make all season.

Despite having a man advantage Nuneaton were unable to make their guests pay, instead opting to see the game out with periods of controlled possession.
It was not as exciting as Saturday, but it was a lot more solid, proof that this Nuneaton team are evolving – and fast – in what will be a challenging league this season.

NUNEATON TOWN: J.Smith, Clifton, Reid (C Keane 88), J Keane, Maguire, Lane, Morgan, Chettle, Harewood (Duffy 90), Byrne, Williams. Subs not used: Dyer, Canavan, R.Smith.

BRACKLEY TOWN: Crane, Graham, Morley (Kazaboni 65), Odhiambo, McDonald, Austin, Walker, Mills, Smith (Moyo 71), Diggin (Burton (52), Batchelor.
Subs not used: Story, Winters.

ATTENDANCE: 829