Cup Run Ends In Bromsgrove Despite Resilient Boro Display - Match report: Bromsgrove Sporting 2 NTFC 0
Report by Josh Green
Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round
Bromsgrove Sporting 2-0 Nuneaton Town
Scorers: Ollie Harrison 69’, Billy Shaw 83’
Attendance: 915
Nuneaton Town’s Emirates FA Cup journey came to an end in the First Qualifying Round after a hard-fought 2-0 defeat away at Step 3 side Bromsgrove Sporting. Despite a resilient, battling performance against higher-league opposition, two second-half goals ultimately proved decisive.
Looking to bounce back from Monday afternoon's defeat at Sutton Coldfield, joint-managers Darren Acton and Russell Dodd made three changes to the team. Josh Green returned from injury to replace the cup-tied Shilton, while Liam Murphy returned to the side at the expense of Terry Atem. The final change saw James Harrison come in to replace Charlie Jones, who dropped to the bench. The starting lineup also featured former Rouslers appearance record-holder Aaron Roberts, and Luke Softley, who returned to Bromsgrove for the first time following their summer move to Nuneaton.
The match nearly got off to a dream start within the opening sixty seconds. Straight from the kick-off, Town pushed forward and carved out a golden opportunity when a deflected effort looked destined to find the back of the net. However, the former Nuneaton Borough shot-stopper Tony Breeden produced a brilliant save to keep it out, but as the ball broke loose, Liam Murphy couldn't quite reach the rebound before the defender scrambled the ball to safety.
The Town were comfortably the better of the two teams in the opening exchanges but following that frantic spell, the hosts eventually found their footing. Sporting carved out a dangerous opportunity with a powerful strike at goal, but Finn Osborn pulled off a fine reaction save to keep the scoreline level. From there, it became a fiercely contested, tight affair. Town’s backline stood firm, limiting Bromsgrove's attack to very few opportunities, while remaining a threat on the counter, causing them problems down the flanks, to keep it goalless at half time.
Half-Time: Bromsgrove Sporting 0-0 Nuneaton Town
The battle continued into the second half as for a close 60 minutes, there was absolutely nothing to separate the two sides as Nuneaton matched their higher-league opponents stride for stride across the pitch. Looking to shift the dynamics and break the deadlock, Terry Atem replaced Liam Murphy in the 64th minute. However, the hosts took the lead in controversial fashion just minutes later as a corner was whipped deep into the danger zone and Ollie Harrison rose highest to head home for the hosts. The Nuneaton players complained for a foul on goalkeeper Finn Osborn, but nothing was given and the goal was allowed to stand.
Town refused to let their heads drop and looked to manufacture a route back into the tie. Bradley Stretton took matters into his own hands, unleashing a curling effort from distance but it flashed wide of the post to the relief of the home support standing in the terrace behind the goal.
With time ticking away, Nuneaton rolled the dice again in the 82nd minute as Stuart Hendrie came on to replace Declan Somel. Just a minute later, the mountain became too steep to climb as Caine Elliott lost possession in a dangerous area, allowing Billy Shaw to pounce on the mistake and drive the ball low into the bottom corner to extend the lead.
While it wasn't the result Town would have hoped for, the squad left everything on the pitch against top quality opposition, bowing out of the competition with their heads held high.
Full-Time: Bromsgrove Sporting 2 - 0 Nuneaton Town
Nuneaton Town: Finn Osborn, Josh Green, Aaron Roberts, Luke Softley, Harry Chesterton, Declan Somel (Stuart Hendrie 82’), Caine Elliot (Corey Currithers 89’), Bradley Stretton, James Harrison, Eesa Sawyers (Marley Sweenie-Rowe 89’), Liam Murphy (Terry Atem 64’)
Substitutes: Corey Currithers, Stuart Hendrie, Terry Atem, Charlie Jones, Marley Sweenie-Rowe
Next up: It’s straight back to knockout football next Saturday. Nuneaton Town hit the road again, traveling to face Matlock Town in the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round, with kick off at 3pm.
