Adders Bite-Back to Stop Title Celebrations - Match Report: Nuneaton Town 0 Atherstone Town 2
By George Kirk
Nuneaton Town’s promotion party was put on ice, suffering defeat in the North Warwickshire Derby at the hands of local rivals Atherstone Town.
A first half double from Lewis Collins sealed the deal for the home-side, with Boro being unable to break down the resolute Adders defence.
This piles further pressure on the Town after last weekend's draw away at Godmanchester Rovers, in need of a win in their remaining two games to secure the title.
Kick-Off:
With a bumper crowd backing the Boro, fans would be surprised when the visitors started the game on the front foot, with Dylan Parker stinging the palms of Brandon Bache not long after kick-off.
Town fans' surprise would turn to shock only minutes later, as Adders captain Lewis Collins rounded Bache to slot into an empty net seven minutes in.
This would wake-up Acco and Doddsy’s men, who pushed forward piling on the pressure through assist king Callum Carsley’s crosses, hitting the bar directly off a corner and Aaron Williams heading one of his deliveries just wide.
Despite this pressure, Adder’s would continue to have chances, countering sharply and almost grabbing a second, when Parker chipped over Bache hitting the roof of the net.
Nuneaton would respond instantly, as the game became like a tennis match, with two huge blocks stopping James Harrison and Aaron Williams from grabbing the equaliser, before Michael McGrath headed inches wide from the following corner.
In the 42nd minute, Town would pay for these missed chances thanks to prolific striker Collins, who would haunt yet again tapping into an empty net to grab his second.
Half-Time: Nuneaton Town 0-2 Atherstone Town
In the second half, the away side defended valiantly making it very difficult for Boro to create chances, surviving an early spell to take control of the game.
The visitors continued to cause problems on the break, with Jack Edwards forcing Bache into a fine save to deny a third early on.
Town’s only real chance came from a corner, coming agonisingly close to getting back into the game, as the Adder’s cleared off the line to maintain their two goal advantage, half-way through the second forty five.
Following this scare, Atherstone would boss the remainder of the match, being tight and compact to ensure they’d be taking all three points back home.
Full-Time: Nuneaton Town 0-2 Atherstone Town
MOTM: Corey Currithers
Attendance: 1,502
Team: Brandon Bache, Kai Thomas (Hesson, 81’), Callum Carsley, Corey Currithers ©, Michael McGrath (Brown, 46’), Loyiso Recci, Stuart Hendrie (Jallow, 46’), Kyle Jardine, Aaron Williams (Somel, 46’), James Harrison (Richards, 74’), Eesa Sawyers
Substitutes: Declan Somel. Dante Hesson, Aaron Brown, Tali Jallow, Ben Richards
Next-Up: Nuneaton Town prepare for their final game of the season, travelling to Northamptonshire to take on Northampton Sileby Rangers on Saturday 11th April, with a 3pm kick off time.
