HARRISON'S LATE STRIKE KEEPS TOWN FINN IT TO WIN IT - FA Trophy 1QR - LINCOLN Utd 1-1 NTFC (NTFC win 4-2 on pens)

Report by Matt Jones

FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round

Lincoln United 1-1 Nuneaton Town

(Nuneaton win 4-2 on penalties)

(Molyneaux 4 : Harrison 90)

Att 210

Nuneaton Town put themselves in the hat for the FA Trophy second qualifying round draw in their usual recent dramatic style on Saturday afternoon.

Lincoln United had lead for nearly the entire game after scoring within 4 minutes, only for James Harrison to come off the bench to score right at the end of the game, before Finn Osborn saved two penalties in the shootout to send Town through to the next round.

Nuneaton started the game with four changes, as Declan Somel, Jay Snook, Liam Murphy, and debutant Jacob Shilton made the eleven. And the rotated squad started well however were hit with a sucker punch, as just 4 minutes in Rio Molyneaux received a pass infield and from the edge of the box curled a shot just inside Osborn's left hand post to give Lincoln United the lead (0-1).

With the forecast heavy rain starting soon after, it became quite a scrappy game, with neither side able to keep the ball for any length of time, and it took until the 40th minute for Nuneaton to finally get a shot on target, as Charlie Jones drove at the defence before curling a shot towards the far corner, which the Lincoln keeper saved well low to his left, Snook picked up the rebound but had his effort blocked too. From the conceded corner, a bit of pinball in the area ensued and United just kept Town at bay.

The referee brought to an end a difficult first half in which Nuneaton huffed and puffed but couldn't find a way through.

Half time:

Lincoln United 1-0 Nuneaton Town

Nuneaton started the second half looking to continue where they had left off at the end of the first. 6 minutes into the half though they could have had a penalty as Liam Murphy appeared to be dragged down to prevent a chance at his first goal, however the referee didn't agree and waved away the protests.

Murphy was involved in the play again a few minutes later as he put a fizzing ball across the box, but the defence managed to clear away to prevent the tap in. The defence was on hand again to prevent Bradley Stretton's goalbound header shortly after.

Eesa Sawyers replaced Snook on the hour mark, and provided some pace on the wing, but it was Lincoln who hit on the break, Aaron Roberts was needed twice in a minute with first a last ditch tackle, and then from the corner a goalline clearance to prevent Lincoln scoring a 2nd.

After debutant Shilton, who had a very solid game, went into the book for holding onto his man too long, more subs took place as Terry Atem replaced Murphy, Stuart Hendrie replaced Stretton, and James Harrison replaced Somel. It was to be Harrison who would change the course of the game as in the final minute of normal time a looping ball from Luke Softley found Harrison on the right wing. A good first touch enabled him to take on his defender, cut back onto his right foot and then lash it into the net at the near post under the keepers outstretched arm to keep Town in the Trophy for a bit longer (1-1).

Nuneaton tried to win it in stoppage time but the defence held firm and the full time whistle blew with the scores level, and with no replay in this round it went to penalties.

Full time:

Lincoln United 1-1 Nuneaton Town

Penalties:

Nuneaton went first, Charlie Jones made it 1-0, before Osborn saved smartly from Moran. Caine Elliott made it two before Priestley got one back. Terry Atem made it 3-1 before Baker brought the deficit back to one. And it was fitting that James Harrison would be the man to score the crucial penalty as he made it 4-2, before Osborn completed the job, saving Molyneaux's effort, to send Nuneaton fans and players wild, and the club through to the next round.

Next up:

Sutton Coldfield Town (a) NPL Division 1 Midlands, Monday 31 August 3pm.

Team:

Osborn, Shilton, Roberts, Softley, Chesterton, Somel (Harrison 83), Jones, Elliott, Stretton (Hendrie 79), Snook (Sawyers 62), Murphy (Atem 74)

Subs:

Sweenie-Rowe, Sawyers, Atem, Hendrie, Harrison