Somel And Atem Star in Second Half Show to Secure Three Points - Match Report: Shepshed 1 NTFC 2
Report by Josh Green
Northern Premier League Midlands
Shepshed Dynamo 1-2 Nuneaton Town
Scorers: Declan Somel 76’, Terry Atem 96’, Taylor Wise 97’
Attendance - 451
Nuneaton Town secured their third league victory of the season with a hard fought 2-1 away win at the Dovecote Stadium. Russ and Acco made one change to the team from Tuesday night with Liam Murphy returning to the starting 11 to replace James Armson who departed the club earlier this week.
The opening 45 minutes was heavily dictated by the conditions as both defences stood strong, adjusting well to the disruptive wind that made fluent football difficult. Clear-cut chances were hard to come by but the first big chance of the game came for the hosts in the 29th minute as Bajrami was called into action, coming out quickly to pull off a crucial block at his nearest post. Boro did get a chance as James Harrison beat the keeper but Stretton couldn’t adjust on the turn to get the ball over the line so it was goalless as the teams went in for half time.
Half Time: Shepshed Dynamo 0-0 Nuneaton Town
Nuneaton started the second half with high intent, winning a free kick early on but Josh Green’s effort struck the wall as the rebound fell kindly to Caine Elliot who could only find the gloves of Williams in the Shepshed goal.
The game’s tempo suffered a disruption in the 55th minute following a nasty clash of heads, forcing a significant pause in play. Looking to inject fresh energy, the first change came on the hour mark as Terry Atem replaced Liam Murphy.
The match shifted heavily in Nuneaton’s favour in the 68th minute as Reece Massey player lunged into a dangerous two-footed challenge on Josh Green, leaving the referee with no choice to issue the straight red and reduce the hosts down to 10 men.
Sensing an opportunity, Boro made another change, introducing Charlie Jones for James Harrison. The response was almost instant as a trademark Josh Green long throw once again caused chaos in the box with the ball falling straight to Declan Somel who expertly slotted the ball under the keeper into the back of the net giving us the lead with 15 to go.
Having got the breakthrough, goalscorer Somel was replaced by Corey Currithers and Boro looked to see out the game playing the ball into the corner flag at every opportunity to wind down the clock.
It proved to be a chaotic end to the game, Stretton was brought down inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Terry Atem but he blasted his effort over the crossbar. Terry refused to let his head drop as moments later, he chased down a loose ball, rounded the keeper and tapped the ball into an empty net to send the travelling support into pandemonium.
A brief lapse in concentration straight from the restart allowed Shepshed to grab a consolation goal through Taylor Wise but it wasn’t enough to turn the game around as Boro got all 3 points.
Full Time: Shepshed Dynamo 1-2 Nuneaton Town
MOTM: Declan Somel
Nuneaton Town: Gabriel Bajrami, Josh Green, Aaron Roberts ©, Jacob Shilton, Harry Chesterton, Caine Elliot, Declan Somel (Goal 76’, Corey Currithers 85’), Bradley Stretton, Eesa Sawyers, James Harrison (Y 33’, Charlie Jones 75’), Liam Murphy (Terry Atem, Goal 96’)
Substitutes: Marley Sweenie Rowe, Stuart Hendrie, Corey Currithers, Charlie Jones, Terry Atem
Next up: We’re back at The Oval on Tuesday 22nd September as we host Grantham Town with a kick off time of 7:45pm.
