20/20 vision as Town keep their rivals in Cheneck - Match Report: NTFC 3 ON Chenecks 1
By Matt Jones
Nuneaton Town 3-1 Northampton ON Chenecks
(Sawyers 7, Jardine 40, Hendrie 66 : Irwin 33)
Attendance: 401
Matchday sponsor: Lance Edkins
Nuneaton Town secured another 3 points on Tuesday night, increasing their lead at the top of the table to 20 points, while Kyle Jardine scored his 20th league goal of the season. That goal came in between a smart finish from Eesa Sawyers and a great curling strike from Stuart Hendrie.
Several changes were made to Saturday's line up, with Callum Carsley unavailable, and Michael McGrath having picked up a knock, Kamol Campbell and loan player Taylor Carter-Byrne replaced them in defence. James Harrison and Stuart Hendrie swapped back to the starting eleven in place of Dante Hesson and CJ Nyakuhwa.
Unlike Saturday's thriller with Grantham Town, Nuneaton started the better side, with Charlie Jones only denied a 2nd minute goal by a last ditch challenge from the defender, and Kyle Jardine putting a 5th minute header over from a Stuart Hendrie free kick.
On 7 minutes however Nuneaton got the opening goal they deserved, as Jardine took advantage of a missed defensive tackle and drove towards the box, and poked it right to Eesa Sawyers who slotted home (1-0).
Nuneaton fans could be forgiven for wondering if a few more would come, but Chenecks were impressive in their comeback, and their pace was a problem for the hastily put together defence. Ijah Augustine proved tricky to deal with, as he volleyed over unmarked from a corner on 9 minutes, while another effort on 20 minutes from the winger deflected off Loyiso Recci and just over the bar.
However he set up the equaliser shortly after as, on 33 minutes, he got in behind again and crossed for Lewis Irwin to head past Bache into the net (1-1).
That seemed to wake up Nuneaton once again and just 7 minutes later were back in the lead with a sumptuous team goal. James Harrison did well to keep the ball from going out from a throw in with a flick to Charlie Jones. Great skill from Jones saw him beat his defender before finding Jardine on the edge of the 6 yard box. Jardine then, with his back to goal, feigned to go one way then turned the other, fooling both keeper and defender and leaving space to find the goal to restore the lead for Town (2-1).
Half time: Nuneaton Town 2-1 Northampton ON Chenecks
Nuneaton learned their lessons from the first half and pushed on for a third goal. A Kai Thomas corner nearly gave Carter-Byrne a debut goal, but he headed just wide.
Stuart Hendrie saw yellow for a late challenge, before the impressive Sawyers and Jones combined again, the former's low ball across the box found the latter, who nearly repeated Jardines goal from 12 yards or so, but unluckily hit the underside of the crossbar. Jardine headed the rebound over.
The third goal would finally come half way through the second half, and if Stuart Hendrie only scores one league goal this season, it mayaswell be a goal of the season contender. Campbell's short corner found Hendrie on the edge of the box, and having cut inside a defender, curved the ball with the outside of his right foot, right into the top corner giving the keeper absolutely no chance (3-1).
The lead allowed for changes and game management, as Tali Jallow replaced Corey Currithers, Aaron Williams replaced Hendrie, and Trevor Edwards got a rare run out replacing Kamol Campbell. And bar a free kick from Jardine into the keepers gloves, there was little in goalmouth action and Nuneaton saw the game out comfortably.
Full time: Nuneaton Town 3-1 Northampton ON Chenecks
Next up:
Sat 28 Feb 2026
Yaxley (a) UCL Premier South
Team: Bache, Thomas, Recci, Carter-Byrne, Campbell (Edwards 84), Currithers (Jallow 71), Jones, Hendrie (Williams 82), Sawyers, Harrison, Jardine
Subs: Williams, Hesson, Jallow, Nyakuhwa, Edwards
