Mickleover Comeback to Defeat Town in League Opener - Match Report: Nuneaton Town 1 Mickleover 3
By George Kirk
Nuneaton Town’s league opener ended in defeat against established step four side Mickleover, who came back from being a goal down in the first half to earn all three points.
After a positive first half, with Brad Stretton opening the scoring following a penalty miss, Mickleover hit Town with two quick fire sucker punches early into the second forty five, as Theo Rowe and Terry Hawkridge turned the game on its head.
This rocked Boro, allowing the visitors to sit back and hit Town hard on the counter attack, giving them a very hard uphill battle, which was made even more difficult when substitute Jude Taylor grabbed a third, sealing the deal for the Derbyshire based outfit.
Kick-Off:
From the start it was clear to see the difference in quality in step four, as Mickleover put Town under pressure, keeping the backline on their toes with the opposition pushing forward, forcing new signing Finn Osborn into a save down low from 20 yards out.
After seeing out a wave of early attacks Boro would counter, getting into some dangerous areas, which would be rewarded in the 16th minute, when Luke Softley was alleged to have been tripped over in the box, winning a penalty in the process.
Up stepped talented young attacker Brad Stretton, who placed an effort into the middle of the goal, but was denied a super save from Aaron Chapman, managing to block away with his leg despite diving the wrong way.
It wouldn’t be long before Stretton would redeem himself, as some fantastic team build up play, resulted in him burying Harry Chesterton’s ball into the top corner to open the scoring.
Nuneaton would grow in confidence following this, putting the visitors on the back foot, with their best chance coming from powerhouse striker Terry Atem, glancing a Josh Green cross just wide of the far post.
Half-Time: Nuneaton Town 1-0 Mickleover
The second half began with more of the same from Acco and Doddsy’s men, continuing to push for the second, as veteran James Armson’s superb passing opened up the opposition.
In the 54th minute, Town would be hit by a complete sucker punch, when a defensive mix up allowed Theo Rowe’s deflected effort to level the scoring for the visitors.
This would prove to be a huge boost for Mickleover, going on to grab their second minutes later, thanks to a fantastic strike from Terry Hawkridge, who sent a rocket into the bottom right corner, leaving Osborn with no chance.
From then on, the away side would defend resolutely, making it very difficult for Town to break them down, having a solid shape to ensure the home side had limited chances.
It’s fair to say you could see a clear difference in the way a top quality side from step four saw a game out compared to a top quality step five side, with their organisation and fitness levels being by far the best the Town have faced since reforming as a club.
After seeing out a spell of Nuneaton pressure, the away side looked to go for the jugular, as Jude Taylor, Liam Carter, Josh Carter and Yerim Zoko provided extra spark on the counter-attack, with the substitutes pace and movement giving the home sides defence a very tough end to the game.
Mickleover would put the cherry on the cake of a well-rounded second half performance in the 84th minute, when Jude Taylor blasted a powerful effort past Osborn to secure the result.
A tough start for the Town, who look to take the positives from the first half to bounce back on Saturday away at Carlton Town.
Full-Time: Nuneaton Town 1-3 Mickleover
MOTM: James Armson
Attendance: 612
Team: Finn Osborn, Harry Chesterton, Corey Currithers © (Elliot, 62’), Aaron Roberts, Luke Softley (Y, 77’), James Armson, Terry Atem (Harrison, 68’), Charlie Jones, Eesa Sawyers, Josh Green (Y, 68’), Brad Stretton (G, 20’, Snook, 67’)
Substitutes: Kai Thomas, James Harrison, Liam Murphy, Caine Elliot, Jay Snook
Next-Up: Nuneaton Town are back on the road for their first away day of the league season, taking on Carlton Town on Saturday 15th August with a 3pm kick-off time.
