Town show their Knowle-dge to progress in tough Vase test - Match report: Knowle 1 Nuneaton Town 2

By Matt Jones

FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round
Knowle 1-2 Nuneaton Town
(Purves 6 : McGrath 19, Jardine 71)

Attendance: 420

Nuneaton Town made the short journey to Solihull on Saturday afternoon to face Midland League Division 1 outfit Knowle in the FA Vase, with a place in the first round proper at stake.

Highgate United had been swept aside 8-0 in the previous round, but despite being a league lower, Knowle were expected to be a tough test having made a flying start in the league, and so it proved, with Nuneaton having to come from behind.

Just 6 minutes in, in the first real attack of the match, Knowle took the lead, as a ball into the box from the left was controlled and poked home by Adam Purves (0-1).

The goal was the only real chance of the opening quarter hour as both sides struggled to string passes together, and Purves could have made it 2 on 17 minutes as he cut inside to get a shot on goal, but it was straight at Nuneaton keeper Brandon Bache.

Just two minutes later Nuneaton punished that chance, as a free kick was won on the right. The defensive header went up rather than out, and Danico Johnson used his strength and skill to turn his defender and whip a ball across the box, which Michael McGrath turned home for the equaliser (1-1).

Nuneaton had the momentum now, and Kyle Jardine had two chances in as many minutes straight after, as he turned his defender before firing straight at the keeper, before blazing over at the back post after Kai Thomas' long throw got all the way through to him.

A frustrated Jardine had another chance to give Town the lead as he capitalised on a missed defensive header to bear down on goal but his shot was over.

Knowle nearly equalised with 7 to go until half time, as they hit the post and had the rebound saved.

Both sides were left to settle with the scores level after an evenly matched first half.

Half time: Knowle 1-1 Nuneaton Town

If Nuneaton had grown into the game after a shaky first few minutes, the half time whistle did Knowle a favour, as they came out firing in the second half. Copeland was booked in less than a minute after a silly late challenge on Bache, whilst Seeley had a shot from the left 5 minutes into the half that whistled just wide.

Seconds later McGrath slipped on the wet surface by the corner flag and Copeland's shot was saved. In the final of a flurry of chances Barnes hit the post on a volley, the second time in the game Knowle had hit the woodwork.

With 55 minutes gone Nuneaton made the changes needed to inject some pace on the wings, as Eesa Sawyers and James Harrison replaced Stuart Hendrie and Danico Johnson, and it nearly paid immediate dividends, as a corner was won, and the corner found its way onto the crossbar from the defensive header, before Jardine and Recci got in each other's way on the rebound.

On the hour mark Charlie Jones headed over from a Callum Carsley cross, but it was with 20 to go that the game changed in Nuneaton's favour. Eesa Sawyers picked up the ball and made a great mazy run through the defence leaving Mort no option but to hack him down to prevent a shot at goal. Kyle Jardine stepped up to curl the ball expertly into the top corner giving the keeper no chance, and Nuneaton had the lead (2-1).

Knowle's best chance to level came on the 79th minute as Parsons was found unmarked and sliced his shot horribly wide, whilst at the other end, shortly after Aaron Williams replaced Declan Somel, Jardine beat the keeper to a cross but saw his header over him drop agonisingly wide.

Sawyers had a good chance to finish the game in stoppage time but couldn't keep it on target, but Nuneaton did enough to see the game out, despite a poor late challenge from Seeley that saw him booked.

Full time: Knowle 1-2 Nuneaton Town

A very tough test against a well organised and physical side, that will likely do well in their division this season, but Nuneaton Town go into the hat for Monday's FA Vase 1st Round draw, and one step closer to a first ever Wembley visit for the club. Another tough away game up next as Nuneaton play another first v second game this time away at Aylestone Park, looking to extend their lead to 9 points.

Team: Bache, Thomas, Carsley, Currithers, McGrath, Recci, Hendrie (54 Sawyers), Somel (83 Williams), Jones, Jardine, Johnson (54 Harrison)

Subs: Williams, Harrison, Hesson, Sawyers, Gillies

Next up: Aylestone Park (a), League, Tuesday 23rd September, 7:45pm