Nuneaton Town 3 Southport 0 (23.09.2017)

Another Chambers hat-trick as Boro are worthy winners…

BORO chalked up a deserved 3-0 victory over Southport with Ashley Chambers grabbing a hat-trick for the second game in succession.
There was a scare in the opening three minutes for Boro when the ball squirmed away from Dean Lyness and Niall Heaton was alert to clear off the line from Cockerline.
It was the away side who looked the livelier early on as Andy White saw a low effort deflected inches wide.
Boro were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute after Ashley Chambers’ effort was blocked by the hand of Gary Roberts. The spot-kick was given after the referee consulted with his assistant but Chambers blasted over.
A well-worked corner from Boro shortly afterwards ended with Chambers firing over again whilst at the other end, Cockerline was denied as Boro got men back to block his effort.
The opening goal arrived on 31 minutes when a Boro attack saw the visiting ‘keeper save well initially to deny Brady Hickey’s header, but as the ball stayed alive Chambers was able to fire home with a low strike.
Boosted by the goal, Luke Trotman saw his positive run end with a strike that landed inches wide of the target.
Some neat link-up play between Chambers and Alex Henshall saw the latter fire just wide before Billy Daniels tested the ‘keeper.
Right on the stroke of half-time, Hickey was unlucky to see his strike hit the base of the post as Boro ended the half strongly.
The early action in the second half saw the visitors go close as Lowe’s strike from just outside the area rattled the crossbar.
Our lead was doubled on 68 minutes when a sweeping move saw Daniel Nti find Hickey who in turn fed Chambers from close range to make it 2-0.
Boro were very much in control after that as chances were at a premium at either end.
Nti did well to make room for a strike that flew over whilst Chambers was a constant menace every time he had the ball.
In the closing stages, Chambers completed a second hat-trick in succession as he fired home to make it 3-0 and he could have had a fourth shortly afterwards only to be thwarted by a last-gasp challenge as our visitors were keen to hear the final whistle.