Boro 2 – Halifax 3

Opening Day Defeat For Boro;

NUNEATON Town saw their season get off to the worse possible start as an error from keeper Dean Snedker – plus some set-piece problems – allowed Tom Denton get an opening day hat-trick as title favourites Halifax took all the points at the Coombe Abbey Arena.
Nuneaton had brought in a number of players throughout the summer, but it was a familiar problem that came back to haunt them early on as the first corner they faced this season ended in the first goal conceded.
It was Tom Denton who grabbed it, powering home a header past Dean Snedker, it was all too easy for the former North Ferriby United man, though, as Nuneaton’s inability to deal with set-pieces reared its ugly head again.
Despite the goal coming before three minutes had been played the Boro did not let their heads drop – far from it – as within two minutes they were level.
It was on-loan Aaron Williams who got it, putting his head bravely into the mix from a chipped free-kick, the Peterborough man grabbing his first Nuneaton goal since leaving the club earlier in the year.
Both teams were going toe-to-toe at this stage as the first 15 minutes became a series of attacks and counter attacks – no further goals were to come from it, though.
The pace dropped dramatically after that as the 25 degree heat began to take its toll, Halifax resorted to looking to feed Denton with aerial balls while Nuneaton looked to utilise the likes of William and Shaq McDonald on the wings.
Half time was always going to be crucial as both teams looked to regroup, what Nuneaton did not want was to concede quickly again after the break – but thanks to keeper Snedker that is exactly what happened.
The half was just eight minutes old when he inexplicably allowed a Denton shot, a loose use of the term shot, to dribble between his legs and ease over the line. It was a huge mistake from a player who was only officially signed to the club this week.
The goal instantly gave life to Halifax once again as before the hour mark they were celebrating again – thanks to Denton again – as once again the big man up top took full advantage of some slack marking from a set-piece to tower another header into the back of the net.
Nuneaton looked down and out at this stage, but there is a lot of character in this young team. They showed that in the form of their captain and leader Kelvin Langmead as he netted a goal on his debut with a fantastic diving header to draw his team back within touching distance of the Shaymen.
The goal although impressive in nature, failed to ignite the desired comeback as Halifax eased through to an opening day three point haul.

The Boro will not be playing the likes of Halifax and Denton every week, but they will need to improve nonetheless otherwise a title challenge against the likes of the Shaymen will not materialise this season….

NUNEATON TOWN: Snedker, Clifton, Nicholson, Langmead, Keane, Morgan, Tempest, Scott (Daniels 69), McDonald, Williams, Moli (Shorthouse 69)
Subs not used: Wheatley, Demkiv, Ironside.

HALIFAX TOWN: Drench, Moyo, Wilde, Roberts, Hone, Garner, MacDonald (Sinnott 63), Hatte, Denton, Burrow (Hibbs 75), Peniket.
Subs not used: Nicholson, Hughes, Hibbs, Koslyo.

Match Report Courtesy Of Chris Philpotts @ Trinity Mirror