Town’s FA Cup Journey ends at the hands of the Colemen - Match Report: Coleshill Town 2 Nuneaton Town 1

By George Kirk

Nuneaton Town’s FA Cup dream is over, after defeat to Coleshill Town from the league above, with Nuneaton featuring in the competition for the first time since 2023.

Bassitt Mandey’s second half header was enough to put The Colemen through to the next round, with ex-Town and Town and Boro aces Cody Mullan, Adam Mcgurk and Cameron Belford featuring on the line-up for the home side.

Despite defeat, Nuneaton didn’t make things easy for the home side, more than holding their own against superior league opposition especially in the first half when Harry Sweeney’s opener was cancelled out by hot-shot new signing Kyle Jardine.

Kick-Off

Following back to back wins in the league, Nuneaton started the game full of confidence, with early chances from Kyle Jardine and Essa Sawyers livening up the travelling support behind the goal.

Despite this early momentum, Town would be brought right back down to Earth when Harry Sweeney found the back of the net for the home side in the 12th minute.

Acco and Doddsy’s men responded well to conceding, with Jardine forcing Cameron Belford into a top save to deny a leveller.

It wouldn’t take long for Jardine to get himself on the scoresheet, when in the 42nd minute he pounced onto the ball following a corner, slamming in from close range.

Half-Time: Coleshill Town 1-1 Nuneaton Town

In the second half, the Colemen grew into the game and showed their class, controlling the game and limiting Town to few chances.

Coleshill would retake the lead in the 58th minute, as Bassitt Mandey powered a header past Brandon Bache, matching the goal with an even better celebration, somersaulting through the air like it was the Olympics.

This would enable the home side to frustrate as they dictated play and managed to see out the game.

Town would have a late chance to equalise, with Callum Carsley being unable to profit from a close-range free-kick.

A tough test for the Town, who will take positives out of a resilient performance against higher league opposition.

Full-Time: Coleshill Town 2-1 Nuneaton Town

Man of the Match: Kyle Jardine

Attendance: 410

Team: Brandon Bache, Callum Carsley, Corey Currithers (Y 88’), James Harrison (Crossley 46’), Kyle Jardine (G 43’), Loyiso Recci (Y 24’), Eesa Sawyers (Spruce 66’), Declan Somel (Dante Hesson 82’), Kai Thomas, Ben Whitehead-Thompson (Brown 68’), Aaron Williams (Charlie Jones 66’)

Substitutes: Aaron Brown, Josh Crossley, Dante Hesson, Charlie Jones, James Spruce

Next-Up: Nuneaton Town will go in search of their 3rd league win in a row, as they welcome March Town United to the Oval on Saturday 9th August 3pm KO.