Kyle brings the smiles as Town earn quarter final spot in local clash - Match report: Nuneaton Town 1 Coventry United 0 (League Cup)
By Matt Jones
Nuneaton Town 1-0 Coventry United
(Jardine 27)
Attendance: 474
Kyle Jardine's first half effort was the difference as Nuneaton Town beat local side Coventry United in a first ever meeting between the two sides. The goal ensured Nuneaton set up a quarter final clash with Grantham Town at The Oval in February.
Darren and Russell named 4 changes from midweek, as goalkeeper Brandon Bache made a welcome return in place of Alex Graham after injury, and Stuart Hendrie, Danico Johnson and Aaron Brown made starts over James Harrison, Declan Somel and the rested Eesa Sawyers.
Before the game, the two sides marked the upcoming Remembrance Day with an impeccably observed 2 minute silence, attended by the local Royal British Legion, Royal Naval Association and Sea Cadets, as a wreath was laid on the pitch.
As the game started it was United who had the early chances, as on 3 minutes Lewis Wilson tried to dink a looping ball beyond Bache, but it was a comfortable hold for the keeper.
On 8 minutes Benji Adamko was put through on goal but the defence did excellently to catch him up and put him off, as he scuffed the ball straight into Bache who had closed him down well. Within seconds the ball ended up at the other end as good play down the left saw Callum Carsley whip a cross into the box that found Kai Thomas at the back post, but he could only head straight at the keeper.
Ryan Harkin and Stuart Hendrie had further chances for each side as they headed wide from a cross and sliced a shot from the edge of the box respectively.
On 26 minutes Kyle Jardine who was holding the ball up well up front, and causing problems for the defence, managed to do so again and turn his defender Adam Miles, who had no option but to drag him down on the edge of the box, and was booked. From the free kick Jardine's effort was blocked, but Town won the ball back and a cross into the box was headed down by Aaron Brown straight to Jardine who fired low into the corner with the keeper stranded (1-0).
The remainder of the half saw few chances but much drama, as Nuneaton grew frustrated with the referee. First Carsley was booked for a drag back on the wing as he lost possession, then a kick on the heel of Charlie Jones which wasnt given, and then a foul the other way which was, caused much protest from the home side. Captain Corey Currithers' heated discussions with the referee ensured he was sin binned for 10 minutes, whilst during that sin bin, an off the ball tug on the edge of the box was given against Town, and Loyiso Recci's protests could also have resulted in the same punishment, but it was a booking only. The free kick from Morley was safely held by Bache.
Having survived the Coventry onslaught against the temporary 10 men, Currithers returned just before half time.
Half time: Nuneaton Town 1-0 Coventry United
Both sides came out looking for chances as they knew that second goal was crucial. And on 50 minutes Kyle Jardine nearly scored one of the goals of the season, as a cross into him was chested down, flicked back over his head to bamboozle the defender, and then volleyed, but somehow ended up wide. Then 2 minutes later Danico Johnson found a yard at the edge of the box to try and curl it into the corner through a packed defence, but landed just wide.
At the other end Luke Downes whistled a shot from distance over the crossbar, and after being booked for a late challenge, birthday boy Stuart Hendrie curled over from the edge of the box.
With 15 minutes to go Nuneaton rang the changes in 3 stoppages as they tried to run the clock down. Firstly Alex Lock replaced Kyle Jardine, then Declan Somel and Cody Mullan replaced the booked Currithers and Hendrie, then James Harrison replaced Aaron Brown.
There was little drama until stoppage time as neither side could find the game affecting goal. Danico Johnson nearly added a 2nd as he rattled the underside of the crossbar from distance, and while Trevor Edwards made an appearance for Johnson in the final minutes as Nuneaton looked to defend the lead, the task was made easier by a rash challenge on Recci by substitute Dan Cassidy, who was rightly sent off by the referee.
Nuneaton saw off the final minute to progress to the quarter finals, and now have an 8 day rest before their FA Vase clash.
Full time: Nuneaton Town 1-0 Coventry United
Team: Bache, Thomas, Recci, Brown (Harrison 79), McGrath, Carsley, Currithers (Somel 76), Jones, Hendrie (Mullan 76), Johnson (Edwards 90+1), Jardine (Lock 75)
Subs: Somel, Harrison, Mullan, Edwards, Lock
Next up: Sunday 9 Nov - Sandiacre Town (h), FA Vase 2nd Round,
