10 man Town falter as Rovers return home with a point - Match report: NTFC 1 Eynesbury 1
By Matt Jones
Nuneaton Town 1-1 Eynesbury Rovers
(Jardine 35 : Camara 72)
Att 628
Nuneaton Town earned another point towards the title with Kyle Jardine's first half effort but were left frustrated by a second half equaliser and a red card for Loyiso Recci.
Town were back to a more recognised eleven after their league cup drubbing by Coalville Town on Tuesday, with Callum Carsley and Corey Currithers returning to the side. With Kai Thomas unavailable, CJ Nyakuhwa was trialled at right back.
A frantic start saw multiple chances for Town and their mid table opponents in the opening few minutes. On 4 minutes Lynn cut inside on the left for Eynesbury but lashed his effort high and wide, before Ciach nearly capitalised on an underhit passback to Brandon Bache, but the Town keeper was quick off his line to clear away.
6 minutes in Town won a free kick near half way, which Carsley took and the header away fell straight to James Harrison on the edge of the box who's curling effort was off target. At the other end Eynesbury somehow failed to score from within the 6 yard box after Town struggled to clear.
On 13 minutes another free kick for Town saw Carsley put it in the box again and Charlie Jones put it inches wide after the defence failed to clear.
Corey Currithers was booked rather harshly for a slight pull back on his opposition player, and would see himself frustrated that other perhaps worse challenges for Eynesbury players saw them only spoken to by the referee with no card shown.
The game quietened down after a frantic first 20 minutes, but on 35 Nuneaton got the lead they were looking for, as a clearance from Loyiso Recci sent Eesa Sawyers away on the right, and his cross found an unmarked Jardine who headed his effort into the net via a despairing glove from the keeper and the underside of the crossbar (1-0).
Nuneaton could have had a couple of other goals before half time as Jones received the ball on the edge of the box as a defensive air kick fell straight to him, but he put his effort just wide, and James Harrison drove across the box to fire an effort goalwards, but it hit the keeper's trailing leg and looped over the crossbar.
A couple of yellows for Eynesbury finally came just before half time as Brookes and Camara both went into the book for late challenges.
Half time: Nuneaton Town 1-0 Eynesbury Rovers
The second half started with Nuneaton looking to add a 2nd goal as soon as they could, and two big chances came in the first 5 minutes. After Nyakuhwa was shown yellow for taking too long for a throw in, when it eventually came, a cross into the box found Jardine who agonisingly cannoned his header off the corner of bar and post.
Within seconds though the ball was recycled and Sawyers used his pace to reach a forward pass first and get in behind the defence, but was too slow with his shot and the defender made a great recovery tackle to deny him.
A quiet 20 minutes or so followed as both sides struggled to keep the ball. On 71 minutes Harrison had an effort from the edge of the box, but the deflection took the pace off and the keeper was able to gather. But just seconds later at the other end Babacar Camara replicated the trick, and the deflection this time wrong footed Bache, and nestled just inside the post for an unexpected equaliser (1-1).
More jeopardy would follow as just 4 minutes after the goal a tussle between Jordan Brown and Loyiso Recci off the ball saw the latter sent off for violent conduct, despite the former appearing to be the cause of it.
With no centre backs on the bench, Aaron Williams replaced Sawyers seconds later, and two further substitutions shortly after saw Tali Jallow replace Declan Somel, and Tristan Dunkley make his debut on for Harrison.
Despite 8 minutes added on, 10 man Town just couldn't find the winner, and lost their other centre back as Michael McGrath hobbled off injured, with Stuart Hendrie replacing him as Currithers dropped back into defence.
A frustrating afternoon for Nuneaton and a missed opportunity as nearest rivals Atherstone also drew away at March. But Town now sit 5 points from the title and will surely finish it off before the end of the season, although they will hope that the little wobble they've had of late can sort itself out before 2 very tough games over the Easter weekend.
They now know if they win at Godmanchester Rovers next Saturday that either Atherstone Town or Coventry United will have to win both of their games this week to deny them the title for a bit longer.
Full time: Nuneaton Town 1-1 Eynesbury Rovers
Next up:
Sat 28 Mar 2026, 3pm
UCL Premier South
Godmanchester Rovers (a)
