Bloodied Bache the hero as Town edge through in shootout - Match Report: Dronfield 2 Nuneaton Town 2 (5-3 after pens)

By Matt Jones

Dronfield Town 2-2 Nuneaton Town (Nuneaton win 5-3 on penalties)
(Jardine 72, Somel 86 : Bovill 2, Naylor 90)
Att 166

Nuneaton Town reached the 2nd round of the Sports Ground Hire United Counties League Cup on Saturday afternoon with a thrilling penalty shootout win after a crazy finish in normal time.

With Storm Amy swirling around the game was in doubt, but the pitch survived the overnight and morning rain and only windy and drizzly conditions were present by kick off.

Danico Johnson continued up front, and Declan Somel and Loyiso Recci returned to the starting 11 after being rested in Tuesday's Senior Cup loss to Dudley Town.

Within seconds Dronfield won a free kick, and shocked Nuneaton as within 90 seconds the free kick was headed away but Bovill's shot looped off Recci and into the net to give the home side a shock lead (0-1).

That set the tone for the game as it gave the home side something to defend. And defend they did, putting their bodies on the line for most of the game. It took a further 13 minutes for a proper chance for Nuneaton, as Johnson zig-zagged his way through the defence and the defenders last ditch toe poke sent the ball inches away from an own goal. Charlie Jones headed the corner over the bar.

Just two minutes later Dante Hesson received the ball in the middle and spotted an unmarked Callum Carsley on the left of the box, he lashed an effort goalwards that was well tipped over by Dronfield keeper Naylor.

Nuneaton huffed and puffed all half but couldn't blow the Dronfield house down even with the wind's help, as the defence got in the way of everything, Johnson and Somel having the best efforts on the half hour both deflected wide.

On 40 minutes disaster nearly struck Nuneaton as keeper Brandon Bache was struck in the head by a stray boot as he came to collect a header, and suffered a deep cut. He was deemed ok to continue once bandaged up, and Nuneaton survived having to have a makeshift keeper in goal.

Half time: Dronfield Town 1-0 Nuneaton Town

Kyle Jardine replaced Danico Johnson at half time as Nuneaton looked to change their approach. Fan favourite Trevor Edwards had a shot within 20 seconds of the whistle but it whistled just over the bar.

With his head cut still oozing blood down his neck, Bache had a shirt change on the hour, and shortly after Jardine headed a Carsley cross wide. With 20 minutes to go Luke Jones replaced Eesa Sawyers, and just two minutes later he provided the quality Nuneaton needed, as he took on his man on the right before whipping the ball across the box for Jardine to tap home the equaliser (1-1).

With 15 to go Jardine could have given Nuneaton the lead as he barged his way between the defenders to hit a shot, but unfortunately was straight at Naylor who saved with his feet.

Just 4 minutes of normal time were left as Carsley did what he does best and curled a beauty of a cross that Declan Somel got on the end of to head in to finally give Nuneaton the lead (2-1).

After defending pretty much since the 2nd minute, Dronfield threw themselves forward to try to save the game, and in the 90th minute won themselves a corner. 9 went forward including the goalkeeper, and the ball went over them all to the far side of the box, and incredibly the ball back across it was turned in by Dronfield keeper Naylor at the near post to equalise the game once again (2-2).

One final change saw Aaron Williams replace Trevor Edwards, but neither side could find the winner in stoppage time as the game went to a penalty shootout.

Nuneaton scored a perfect 4 out of 4, from Kyle Jardine, James Harrison, Loyiso Recci and Callum Carsley, while Bache, channeling his inner Terry Butcher with his blood covered head, saved

Dronfield's first, and nearly got to two others. And with the score at 4-3 with one to go, Luke Jones stepped up to send both the keeper the wrong way, and Nuneaton into the 2nd round of the league cup.

Full time: Dronfield Town 2-2 Nuneaton Town (Pens 3-5)

Team: Bache, Edwards (Williams 90+4), Recci, McGrath (c), Carsley, Somel, C Jones, Hesson (Hendrie 76), Sawyers (L Jones 69), Harrison, Johnson (Jardine 45)

Subs: Hendrie, Jardine, Williams, L Jones, Marsden

The 2nd round draw was made shortly after the game and Nuneaton Town will face a local derby with Coventry United at the Oval at the start of November.

Next up: Godmanchester Rovers (h) UCL South, Saturday 11th October 3pm