March manage to delay Town as derby day decider awaits - Match report: March Town 0 Nuneaton Town 0

By Matt Jones

Attendance: 504

Nuneaton Town were made to wait a few more days for the title as they were frustrated by a resolute March defence on Tuesday night.

With 3 points required for the title Town threw everything at the Hares but couldn't find a way through, and only managed to get a point which sets up a monster clash with Atherstone Town on Saturday in the North Warwickshire derby. The Adders now the only side able to prevent Town from crossing the title threshold.

With Callum Carsley unavailable for the game Michael McGrath made his return as the tall Ben Richards made the switch to left back.

Nuneaton made a blistering start looking for an early goal to settle the nerves. On 2 minutes good work from James Harrison cutting across the box and feeding a cross to Kyle Jardine resulted in the striker having the first goalbound effort which was cleared away by the defence.

Backed by a loud away following, Nuneaton camped in the March half for the opening 10 minutes or so. And the March keeper had to make a smart save with his feet at his back post as a corner was headed goalwards on 7 minutes.

With 21 gone, another corner into the box was headed out to Aaron Williams who's first time header beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by the defender.

With 10 to go in the half, Sam Green's clearance caught Stuart Hendrie who had sprinted unsighted by the defender to block, and a yellow was given to the March man. From the free kick Jardine blasted it into the wall and it appeared to hit the defenders hands, but vociferous penalty claims didn't result in anything given.

March were not here just to keep Nuneaton out however, and with their own play off aspirations on the line they tried to get goals on the break, and just before half time the dangerous Rio Henson turned Kai Thomas down the left, but the Town right back did well to put him off as the winger's attempted lob over Brandon Bache landed on the roof of the net.

Half time:

March Town United 0-0 Nuneaton Town

March grew more into the game in the second half as they gained confidence from their first half shut out of Town. A chance for both sides with in 10 of the second half saw Henson whip the ball into the box but the effort was sliced horribly wide, while at the other end a header out to Loyiso Recci on the left saw him hook the ball over his head into the box to Jardine, but the defender matched his header and it was an easy hold for the keeper.

On 57 minutes March gave the travelling faithful another scare as a corner was headed into the side netting at the back post, while 2 minutes later Corey Currithers was booked for a mistimed tackle on the edge of the Town box. From the free kick Bache made the save and regathered before any rebound was possible.

The March defence were very annoyed with the presence of Ben Richards at corners, and despite the tall defender not really doing a lot wrong other than standing his ground, he was booked by the referee after a couple of warnings.

On 66 minutes another chance for March saw Hendon whip a shot just over the bar after an initial effort was blocked.

With 15 to go Declan Somel replaced Stuart Hendrie, and within 2 minutes Jardine had a rare second half chance. But once again the March defence frustrated the striker as he could only poke a tame shot goalwards between 2 defenders. With 8 left the home defence survived again as the ball pinged around the box, but the net simply couldn't be found.

Tali Jallow replaced James Harrison as Town freshened up the midfield, but it fell to March to have the last chance of the game, as Bache made a good save from another home free kick.

Goalless it finished, and it now sets up a huge clash on Saturday, as Nuneaton need just a point from nearest challengers Atherstone Town to seal a second successive league title. It's set to be a massive crowd at The Oval.

Full time: March Town United 0-0 Nuneaton Town

Team: Bache, Thomas, Recci, McGrath, Richards, Currithers, Williams, Hendrie (Somel 74), Sawyers, Harrison (Jallow 87), Jardine

Subs: Somel, Hesson, Jallow, Marsden, Campbell

Next up:

Saturday 4th April 2026
UCL Premier South
Atherstone Town (h)