Pre-Season Derby Ends in Defeat for Town - Match report: Bedworth 2 NTFC 1

Match report by George Kirk

Nuneaton Town fall to their third consecutive defeat of Pre-season, following a two-one defeat to local rivals Bedworth United.

First half goals from Harvey Westwood and Ashley Sammons gave Boro a mountain to climb, with James Spruce 60th minute strike only acting as a consolation.

Following Thursday’s defeat to Sutton United, Town prepared for higher league opposition, returning to The Oval for a clash with Step 4 Bedworth United.

The fixture allowed fans to welcome back, Ex-Boro man Carl Baker, well renowned for his spells at Coventry City and Portsmouth, who took control of the game this time in black as the referee. Baker being one of ten ex-professional’s (Trailblazers) being fast tracked into officiating.

The Greenbacks bossed the game from the start, with their sharp play being too much to hand for Nuneaton.

It took only ten minutes for the home side to open the scoring, when a catalogue of errors gave talented young striker, Harvey Westwood all the time in the world to convert from close range.

Nuneaton responded by pushing bodies forward, with United defending comfortably, isolating any service to highly anticipated new signing Kyle Jardine.

In the 31st minute, things went from bad to worse, when Ashley Sammons drove forward, dinking over Brandon Bache, doubling Bedworth’s lead.

Kyle Jardine almost handed the Town a lifeline before the end of the half, stinging the keeper’s palms with a powerful effort.

Half-Time: Bedworth United 2-0 Nuneaton Town

Bedworth continued the theme of the first half early on, who pushed forward and were almost rewarded when a strike from outside the box flashed just wide.

Town’s fortunes changed in the 60th minute, when James Spruce smashed in from close range following a Justin Marsden cross.

Loyiso Recci almost snatched an equaliser late on with an audacious strike from the half-way line, that just bounced wide.

Despite late pressure, Bedworth were able to hang on, giving Nuneaton their third consecutive loss of pre-season.

Some more valuable minutes in the legs for the Town, who now prepare for a midweek clash at home to local rivals Nuneaton Griff on Tuesday 15th July 7:45pm KO.

Full Time: Bedworth United 2-1 Nuneaton Town

Team: Bache (80 Trialist), Thomas, Crossley (56 Trialist), Currithers, Recci, Perkins, Jones (79 Trialist), Mullan (56 Marsden), Jardine, Harrison (56 Spruce), Hesson (45 Williams).

Subs: Spruce, Williams, Marsden, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist