Town hit five in ruthless Rovers rout - Match Report: Eynesbury 2 NTFC 5

By Owen Jephcote

Nuneaton Town produced a devastating attacking display to come from behind and secure a thumping 2-5 victory away at Eynesbury Rovers, maintaining their lead at the top of the United Counties League Premier Division South following March Town United’s 3-0 win over Leicester Nirvana.

After falling behind early, Town responded in ruthless fashion, hitting four goals before half-time, before managing the second period superbly and adding a fifth deep into stoppage time to cap a dominant all-round performance.

First Half

Town started brightly and almost made the breakthrough inside three minutes, when Stuart Hendrie mis-hit a shot from the edge of the area following a neat pass from Eesa Sawyers, watching it drift narrowly wide.

Despite the early pressure, it was the hosts who struck first on ten minutes, as Victor Osobu raced down the left flank, cut inside his defender and calmly slotted home at the near post to give Eynesbury the lead.

However, Town’s response was swift and emphatic. Just two minutes later, Loyiso Recci rose highest at the back post to power home a header from a corner, restoring parity and shifting the momentum firmly in the visitors’ favour.

Acco and Doddsy’s men continued to push forward, going close again when Kyle Jardine flicked on for James Harrison, only for the striker to be beaten to the ball by the advancing goalkeeper, before Callum Carsley tried his luck from distance, firing narrowly over.

The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute, as a superb cross-field pass from Harrison picked out Sawyers, whose initial effort was blocked. The rebound fell kindly to Kai Thomas, who reacted quickest to poke home from close range and put Town ahead.

The match was then halted for a prolonged period following an injury to the referee, leading to a delay of a further 15 minutes while a replacement assistant referee arrived.

Once play resumed, Town finished the half in devastating fashion. On 42 minutes, Sawyers struck the inside of the post, before Harrison unselfishly squared the rebound back across goal, allowing the winger to fire home and extend the lead.

Deep into stoppage time, Jardine slid a clever pass through to Harrison, who swept a composed finish into the far corner to send Town into the break with a commanding four-goal advantage.

Half-Time: Eynesbury Rovers 1–4 Nuneaton Town

Second Half

Eynesbury emerged with renewed intensity, firing a curling effort over the bar early in the half, before forcing Brandon Bache into a superb diving save from a dangerous free kick to preserve Town’s three-goal cushion.

Town remained composed, controlling possession and tempo, with Talibeh Jallow introduced just after the hour mark to make his competitive debut, followed by further changes as Acco and Doddsy looked to keep the team fresh with one eye on Tuesday night’s fixture.

Despite Town’s dominance, the hosts were able to pull one back on 81 minutes, with substitute James Smith heading home at the back post to reduce the deficit and briefly spark belief among the home support.

However, any hopes of a late comeback were extinguished deep into stoppage time, as Kyle Jardine raced through one-on-one and coolly slotted home to make it five, capping a devastating attacking performance.

A ruthless and clinical display from the Town, showing their quality, depth and character in abundance, as they strengthened their grip on top spot.

Full-Time: Eynesbury Rovers 2–5 Nuneaton Town

MOTM: Kai Thomas

Attendance: 215

Teams

Eynesbury Rovers:

James Hoskins, Cole Butler, Babacar Camara, Dean Dummett (James Smith 74’, G 81’), Daniel Hammer, Collin Skhoyimue, Jordan Brown, Michael King, Luke Young, Victor Osobu (G 6’), Scott Joseph

Unused substitutes: Dammy Nickles, Martin Hill, Josh Dobson, Christopher Gough

Nuneaton Town:

Brandon Bache, Kai Thomas (G 17’), Callum Carsley, Michael McGrath, Loyiso Recci (G 12’, Y 50’), Stuart Hendrie, Kyle Jardine (G 90+4’), Aaron Williams (Talibeh Jallow 61’), Eesa Sawyers (G 42’), Charlie Jones (Declan Somel 70’), James Harrison (G 45’, Courtney Nyakuhwa 77’)

Unused substitutes: Danté Hesson, Kamol Campbell

Goals

Eynesbury Rovers: Osobu (6’), Smith (81’)

Nuneaton Town: Recci (12’), Thomas (17’), Sawyers (42’), Harrison (45’), Jardine (90+4’)

Cards

Yellow: Hendrie (26’), Recci (50’)

Next Up:

Nuneaton Town return to league action with renewed focus as they travel to the Riverside Football Ground, home of G.N.G Oadby Town, on Tuesday night, with kick-off at 7.45pm — full match details to follow.