Town End Pre-Season with Defeat to Step-Two Leamington - Match report: NTFC 0 Leamington 3
Match report by George Kirk
Nuneaton were handed their fifth defeat of Pre-Season in a tough clash against National League North Brakes.
The travelling side's quality shone through on the night, with a Max Ram brace and Ewan Williams securing the victory.
Town goalkeeper, Brandon Bache was a standout on the night, making multiple key saves, to keep Nuneaton in the contest.
Despite defeat, Nuneaton put up a decent fight against higher opposition, with on many occasions only being a final pass away from making a break through.
Going into the game Town knew this would be their biggest test of Pre-Season, with Paul Holleran’s men coming off the back of a comfortable season in step two, finishing 16th in the National League North.
This was on display the start, with the Brakes fitness and quality levels being clear to be seen, as they dominated possession and applied pressure on the Town backline.
It took no time for Leamington to break the deadlock, when Max Ram looped into the top corner in the 10th minute, with Tim Berridge almost grabbing a second after the restart, only denied by the post.
This awakened Acco and Doddsy’s men, with Declan Somel firing just wide of the post and a goal mouth scramble almost resulting in the equaliser before the interval.
Half Time: Nuneaton Town 0-1 Leamington
The second half saw the Brakes yet again dominate, with Brandon Bache being forced into a big save down low early on, which would be a sign for things to come.
Bache was left helpless not long after, when in the 63rd minute Max Ram nodded in his second.
Despite this, Bache continued his heroic performance in the Town goal, blocking a shot from point blank range and tipping another effort over the bar.
In the 79th minute, Nuneaton were masters of their own downfall when a sloppy pass from Aaron Williams gave Ewan Williams all the time to convert.
Just before the end, Bache had one more big save in his locker, making himself big to deny a fourth with his foot.
A decent test for the Town against much higher opposition, who now prepare for the opening day of the season away against Newport Pagnell Town, on Saturday 26th July 3pm kick-off.
Full Time: Nuneaton Town 0-3 Leamington
Nuneaton Town Line-Up: Brandon Bache, Kai Thomas (Edwards 57’) , Trialist, Corey Currithers (Perkins 57’), Ben Whitehead, Trialist (Sawyers 57’) , Aaron Williams, Declan Somel, James Spruce (Hendrie 70’) James Harrison, Josh Crossley (Hesson 57’)
Substitutes: Trevor Edwards, Stuart Hendrie, Dante Hesson, Kyle Jardine, Charlie Jones, Dominic Perkins, Eesa Sawyers
