Super Somel Snatches Late Win for The Town - Match Report: Nuneaton Town 2 Coventry United 1
By George Kirk
Nuneaton Town left it late to secure a huge win against local rivals Coventry United, in front of a bumper crowd at The Oval.
Kyle Jardine was back in the goals yet again, cancelling out Ryan Harkin’s early opener, with a moment of magic from wonderkid Sahel Yessen giving Declan Somel an easy finish to seal the deal.
A huge victory against a very resilient side, who proved to be a very tough nut to crack in the end, giving Acco and Doddsy’s men a two point lead over 2nd placed March Town.
Kick-Off:
After a two week break from action, Nuneaton Town knew a win was vital to maintain their position at the top of the table, with high flying March Town hot on their heels.
From the start, it was clear to see that the Town needed to dust off a few cobwebs, as the visitors applied some early pressure.
Ryan Harkin would make his presence known early on for the visitors, volleying a cross goalwards, which was claimed by Brandon Bache in the Boro goal, who not long after would be forced into a big save, bravely deflecting a shot wide with his face.
In the 15th minute, the Red and Greens would profit from this early momentum, as Harkin was played through on goal, dinking over a helpless Bache to put the away side in front.
This proved to be a wake-up call for Nuneaton, almost immediately grabbing the equaliser, with Kyle Jardine heading just wide.
Fuelled by pigs in blankets, Town’s Talisman Jardine came close again only ten minutes later, heading agonisingly wide of the post.
As you’d guess, it wouldn’t be long before he got his goal, as in the 28th minute, Boro’s goal-machine Jardine delicately poked James Harrison’s cross past Dan Moore, to level the scoring.
If there were question marks about the goalkeeping for the first goal, Moore certainly redeemed himself before half-time, denying Charlie Jones with a fantastic save to keep the scores even.
Half-Time: Nuneaton Town 1-1 Coventry United
In the second half, Boro dominated the ball as they took control of the game and pushed to take the lead.
Not long after the restart, Town thought they had made the breakthrough as Aaron Brown was found free in the box, putting the ball just over the bar from close range.
From then on, the visitors shut up shop, limiting Nuneaton to few chances, as they put nearly the whole team behind the ball.
With Town in desperate need of a bit of spark, Acco and Doddsy brought on talented youngster Sahel Yessen and powerhouse Danico Johnson.
These changes made an instant impact, with Town having a flurry of chances, seeing Yessen having an attempt saved onto the post and another being cleared off the line and Johnson being played through, forcing Moore into another save.
In the 88th minute, Nuneaton finally snatched the winner, when a cleared cross dropped to man of the moment Yessen, spinning two defenders with some fantastic footwork, sending a delightful ball into Declan Somel, who dispatched with ease.
This set up a nervy finish to the game, as in added time Charlie Jones cleared an effort off the line and Town had to survive a barrage of corners that caused pandemonium in the box.
A massive result for the Boro, that marks their fourth league win in a row, sending them into 2026 in style.
Full-Time: Nuneaton Town 2-1 Coventry United
MOTM: Aaron Brown
Attendance: 863
Team: Brandon Bache, Kai Thomas, Callum Carsley, Corey Currithers © (Williams 45+1’), Aaron Brown, Loyiso Recci, Declan Somel (G 88’), Kyle Jardine (G 28’, Johnson 62’), James Harrison (Yessen 59’, Y 90’), Eesa Sawyers (Hendrie 76’), Charlie Jones
