By Owen Jephcote
Northern Premier League Division One Midlands
Saturday 7 November 2026 – Grange Park
Attendance: 260
Nuneaton Town secured an important away victory at Grange Park, beating Long Eaton United 2–0 after a goalless first half to extend their unbeaten run to three games. This was also the first outing at home for The Blues newly appointed joint managers Craig Swinscoe and Ben Hutchinson who looked to build on a 3-1 win away to Boldmere St Michaels in their previous match.
The match was decided by two second-half goals, with Luke Softley opening the scoring before substitute Terry Atem sealed the points from the penalty spot.
The foggy conditions and the infamous “New Manager Effect” really played its part in the fixture with Long Eaton proving to be difficult to break down in the early stages.
It was a relatively quiet first 45 minutes for both sides as Nuneaton looked to turn the screw from the early goings. However the home side were able to keep them at bay building up some confidence for the hosts after a struggling start to their league campaign.
Nuneaton made a lively start and almost took the lead inside the opening three minutes. James O'Neill tried his luck from distance with an effort that dipped awkwardly in front of Long Eaton goalkeeper Sam Wilson, who could only parry the ball off his body before it was cleared to safety.
Long Eaton responded when Yerim Zoko was brought down just outside the penalty area. Gianluca Bucci stepped up to take the resulting free-kick but sent his effort high and wide.
The opening exchanges were competitive, although Nuneaton looked marginally the more threatening side. Aaron Williams picked up an early booking for Town and was treading on egg shells for the remainder of the half.
Wilson was called into action again after James Matthews was penalised for a mistimed challenge on Eesa Sawyers, with the resulting free-kick requiring a more straightforward save from the Long Eaton goalkeeper.
There were also a couple of concerning moments involving aerial challenges, with Matthews temporarily leaving the field after a clash of heads before a later collision between Long Eaton striker Alex Marshall and Nuneaton defender Jacob Shilton caused a lengthy stoppage. Shilton was able to continue with a bandage around his head.
James Taylor became the first Long Eaton player cautioned following a foul on former Blues midfielder Connor Pace, who had moved to Nuneaton following the recent changes at Grange Park.
As half-time approached, Nuneaton came closest to breaking the deadlock. O'Neill found space to shoot from inside the area, with his low effort beating Wilson but clipping the outside of the post before going behind.
After almost six minutes of added time, the sides went in level at the break.
Half time: Long Eaton United 0 Nuneaton Town 0
With midfielder Aaron Williams on a booking for most of the first half, Town opted to bring on Corey Currithers for the second 45. Five minutes after the restart, good work from Noah Simmons and Charlie Finney created an opening down the left. Simmons delivered a dangerous cross which Nuneaton goalkeeper Gabriel Bajrami did well to gather low down.
Moments later, Long Eaton came agonisingly close to taking the lead. Once again Simmons was involved down the left, producing a dangerous ball across the face of goal which found Alex Marshall in a promising position. The striker looked certain to score as he attempted to side-foot home from close range, but a combination of Bajrami and a covering defender prevented the ball from crossing the line.
The rebound fell back to Marshall, but his second attempt went wide. Simmons then tried to make something happen with another delivery, but Nuneaton survived.
It was a significant let-off for the visitors, who had struggled to cope with Long Eaton's increased intensity after the interval. Finney also threatened, seeing one effort take a wicked deflection before Bajrami gathered, while another attempt on 61 minutes curled narrowly wide of the target.
With Long Eaton enjoying their strongest period of the game, Nuneaton's response from the bench proved decisive. The visitors made a number of changes during the second half, including the introduction of James Harrison, Aaron Roberts, most importantly, Terry Atem.
It wasn't long after that Nuneaton would take the lead with a pinpoint cross from captain Josh Green being headed in at the back post by Luke Softley.
Nuneaton then threatened to put the game beyond reach on 77 minutes when Atem found himself with another opportunity. Wilson produced an excellent save to keep Long Eaton in contention. However, the goalkeeper was unable to prevent the substitute from getting on the scoresheet shortly afterwards.
With only 10 minutes left to play, substitute Atem converted from the penalty spot finding the top right corner to secure the three points after being fouled inside the area by Bucci.
Full time: Long Eaton United 0 Nuneaton Town 2
Team: 1 Gabriel Bajrami (GK), 2 Josh Green (C), 3 Harry Chesterton, 4 Aaron Williams, 5 Jacob Shilton,6 Luke Softley, 7 Eesa Sawyers, 8 Connor Pace, 9 James O'Neill, 10 Charlie Jones, 11 Ross Evans,
Substitutes: 12 Shay Dunn, 14 James Harrison, 15 Aaron Roberts, 16 Corey Currithers, 17 Terry Atem
