Brad's double is right up Town's 'Stret' as it's a 5 star debut - Match report: Westfields 2 NTFC 5 (FA Cup)

By Matt Jones

Westfields 2-5 Nuneaton Town
(Cottrill 26, Baldwin 33 : Sawyers 10, Stretton 14, 62, Atem 51, Armson 55)

Nuneaton Town began the 2026-27 season with an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie away at Hereford side Westfields on Saturday afternoon. A quick fire 2 goal lead for Town was cancelled out before half time, but 3 goals in 11 second half minutes sealed a place in the next round.

Nuneaton named just 3 of last seasons squad in the starting 11, with 7 new signings making their competitive debuts joining the returning James Armson in the side. Armson was making his first competitive appearance for Nuneaton in over 11 years.

Town made a fast start, winning a corner inside 30 seconds, and Josh Green's inswinging corner was nearly turned home by fellow debutant Luke Softley, but his header fell just wide.

However the first goal wouldn't take too long to come. After just 10 minutes new striker Terry Atem won back the ball from a shaky defence, and fed through Eesa Sawyers to continue his fine pre-season form by chipping over the advancing keeper, and despite getting a hand to the effort could not prevent it from going in the net to give Town the lead (1-0).

Seconds after kick off Nuneaton won the ball back again on the left, and good work from Harry Chesterton and Charlie Jones saw the latter chip into the box to find Terry Atem unmarked but the cross was inches too high for him to make contact.

Nuneaton would double their lead on 14 minutes though as former Town defender Michael McGrath, now of Westfields, misplaced a pass back to his keeper under pressure from a pressing Bradley Stretton, and Stretton beat the keeper to the ball to have the easiest of finishes as he walked it into the empty net (2-0).

A third nearly came through a typical driving run from Sawyers saw the ball fall to Chesterton, but his shot on the angle blazed over.

However Westfields were not ready to roll over and relinquish their place in the FA Cup that easily, and Dan Cottrill smartly backheeled a volley in at the far post from a cross that was headed back across goal (2-1), before on the half hour they controversially equalised after Sibanda was adjudged not to have fouled Softley to win the ball in midfield and square to James Baldwin to tap home at the back post (2-2). Nuneaton were incensed with the decision, and the referee handed cards out like it was Christmas as Corey Currithers, Luke Softley and Aaron Roberts all went into the book for their protests, followed by Russell Dodd at half time.

Nuneaton had chances to restore the lead before half time but Currithers effort from distance flew over the bar, and James Armson sliced from Stretton's cross.

Half time: Westfields 2-2 Nuneaton Town

Nuneaton reset at half time and came out firing once again, and the first chance of the half resulted in the next goal, as on 51 minutes Stretton made a mazy run into the box before squaring for Atem, and his effort went in off the post with the keeper stranded (3-2).

Town doubled their lead in quick fire fashion like they did in the first half, as four minutes later Sawyers fed Chesterton the ball by the corner and his effort parried off the keepers gloves straight to Armson who flicked in the rebound on the volley (4-2).

The first substitution saw Shrewsbury Town loanee Jay Snook on for his debut to replace Atem, and just 3 minutes later Stretton completed his brace as he drove into the box from the right, feigned to square across the box and instead caught the keeper out with a shot that found its way through the defence and the keeper's legs to add another (5-2).

Further substitutions saw Caine Elliott become the 9th debutant, on for Currithers, and shortly after a couple of half chances for Westfields, Sawyers tried to join Stretton on a double by cutting onto his right foot into the box before curling his effort just wide.

Liam Murphy became debutant number 10 as he replaced Sawyers, along with Kai Thomas replacing Green, and one final change saw James Harrison make his 99th appearance, on for Stretton. But Nuneaton were comfortable in seeing the game out. Nuneaton will now travel to Rugby Borough in the Preliminary Round after they progressed over Sporting Club Inkberrow at the same time.

Full time: Westfields 2-5 Nuneaton Town

Team: Osborn, Green (Thomas 79), Roberts, Softley, Chesterton, Currithers (Elliott 64), Jones, Armson, Stretton (Harrison 82), Sawyers (Murphy 79), Atem (Snook 59)
Subs: Thomas, Hendrie, Harrison, Bache, Murphy, Elliott, Snook

Next up:

Tuesday 11th August
Northern Premier League Division 1 Midlands
Mickleover (h)