No Arm Done As Town Keep Cup Run Alive After Osborn’s Heroics - Match report: Rugby Boro 0 Ntfc 1 (FA CUp)

By Josh Green

Nuneaton Town secured their place in the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup with a hard fought 1-0 victory away at Rugby Borough, with the decisive goal arriving just before the interval through Jimmy Armson who’s now scored in 3 consecutive games. 

Acton made two changes to the side that featured on Tuesday night, with Eesa Sawyers and Corey Currithers coming in for Caine Elliott and Jay Snook who were both named on the bench. 

Rugby started quickly, forcing Finn Osborn into a brilliant double save to keep the score level early on. Town gradually grew into the game, exploiting spaces down the right flank where Terry Atem was a constant threat, causing all sorts of problems for the hosts' defence.

Nuneaton’s first clear attempt on target came in the 40th minute when Armson curled an effort straight at the keeper. However, just sixty seconds later, the breakthrough finally arrived. Josh Green’s trademark long throw caused absolute chaos inside the area, with the ball eventually falling to Jimmy Armson, who made no mistake, firing into an empty net in front of the Boro faithful to put Nuneaton ahead just before the halftime whistle.

Half Time - Rugby Borough 0-1 Nuneaton Town 

The second forty-five proved to be a grueling, uphill battle as Rugby Borough pushed hard in search of an equaliser. Nuneaton rode their luck at times but almost doubled their advantage against the run of play. Josh Green unleashed a powerful strike that agonizingly hit both posts before bouncing directly back into the grateful arms of the keeper.

The home team came close to an equaliser in the 68th minute, but Osborn was there again to make a crucial save, and Roberts showed great awareness to clear the ball off the line and away to safety.

Looking to protect the narrow lead, "Acco" turned to the bench, bringing on James Harrison, Liam Murphy, and Declan Somel. The hosts' mountain became even steeper in the 78th minute when Rugby Borough's Patrick Zito was shown a second yellow card and sent off, leaving the home side to navigate the final twelve minutes with ten men.

Nuneaton looked to capitalise on the man advantage, Eesa Sawyers came agonizingly close, curling a beautiful effort towards the corner, only to be denied by a wonderful fingertip save from Marcus Bald. Just a few minutes later, Bald was called into action again, denying Harrison after the substitute found space down the left wing. The ball then fell to the feet of Murphy with just minutes remaining but he dragged his effort inches wide of the post. 

As the clock ticked down, Boro showed immense game management, smartly playing the ball into the corner flag and giving everything to protect the slender lead.

It was a statement win for the Town, who are now safely in the hat for the next round, with Monday's draw revealing who awaits us in the next round. 

Full-Time: Rugby Borough 0 - 1 Nuneaton Town

MOTM - Finn Osborn

Attendance - 453

Nuneaton Town: Finn Osborn, Harry Chesterton, Aaron Roberts, Luke Softley, Josh Green, Corey Currithers (Declan Somel 77’), Charlie Jones, James Armson (C) (Goal 41’, Caine Elliott 90+4’), Bradley Stretton (James Harrison 69’), Eesa Sawyers (Stuart Hendrie 88’), Terry Atem (Liam Murphy 69’)

Substitutes: Kai Thomas, Stuart Hendrie, James Harrison, Declan Somel, Liam Murphy, Caine Elliot, Jay Snook

Next up: It’s back to league action at The Oval on Tuesday 25th August where we host Coleshill Town with a kick off time of 7:45pm.