Jardine Seals the Deal to Send Town Through to the Next Round - Match Report: FA Vase 2nd Round: Nuneaton Town 2 Sandiacre Town 1

By George Kirk

Nuneaton Town secure their place in the third round of the FA Vase, grafting out a hard fought win at home to step six Sandiacre Town.

Kyle Jardine scored for the fourth round in a row, smashing in from the penalty spot, after James Harrison’s early volley was cancelled out by the visitors.

Despite being in the step below, Sandiacre proved to be a real challenge for the Town, defending well throughout the contest.

This sees Town in the hat for the 3rd round draw, keeping the Wembley dream alive.

Kick-Off

Nuneaton began the game on the front foot with James Harrison crossing to Declan Somel, volleying just wide of the target.

Only minutes later, and Harrison was back on the act, this time opening the scoring eight minutes in, volleying a well placed effort into the bottom right corner, from an Eesa Sawyers cross.

This livened up the visitors, who came inches away from an equaliser, as Ryan Hlabangana played Ricco Spencer through for a one-on-one, chipping just over the bar.

In the 26th minute, the saints capitalised on their purple patch in the game, with Jack Vipond’s shot deflecting in off Luke Williamson to level things up.

The rest of the half lacked quality, as neither team was able to take true control of the game.

Fortunately for Nuneaton, they have a prolific goal machine in Kyle Jardine, who like a fox in the box found space at the back post off a corner, and was brought down winning a penalty.

Up stepped Town’s talisman, and without fail he dispatched into the back of the net, grabbing his sixth goal in the competition.

The Boro, had another penalty shout before the end of the half, with an alleged handball in the box, but the referee remained unmoved.

Half-Time: Nuneaton Town 2-1 Sandiacre Town

The second half lacked many real chances, with Acco and Doddsy’s men struggling to break down the Sandiacre defence.

Town had a couple of chances midway through the half, as Harrison stung the keepers palms from distance and Somel flashed an effort at goal.

At the end, Nuneaton attempted to go for the jugular and grab a third, bringing on Cody Mullan, Danico Johnson and Aaron Brown.

However, the only real effort in the remaining twenty minutes would be a strike from Callum Carsley that went over the bar.

A fairly comfortable afternoon for the Town, that sees them in the hat for the third round draw of the FA Vase.

Full-Time: Nuneaton Town 2-1 Sandiacre Town

MOTM: Michael McGrath

Attendance: 523

Team: Brandon Bache, Kai Thomas, Callum Carsley, Corey Currithers © (Y 90+3’), Michael McGrath, Loyiso Recci, Declan Somel (Mullan 72’), Kyle Jardine (G 41’, Brown 89’), James Harrison (G 8’, Hendrie 62’), Eesa Sawyers (Johnson 74’), Charlie Jones (Lock 30’)

Substitutes: Stuart Hendrie, Aaron Brown, Danico Johnson, Cody Mullan, Alex Lock

Next-Up: Nuneaton Town prepare for the visit of Histon in the league, on Saturday 15th November, with a 3pm kick off at The Oval.