Ten-Man Town Rumbled Away at Royals- Match Report: Sutton Coldfield Town 2 Nuneaton Town 0
By George Kirk
Nuneaton Town were handed their third league defeat of the season away at high flying Sutton Coldfield Town.
Two quickfire goals from Reece Craig Gibson and James Thomas Mcgrady early into the second half put the home side in front, allowing them to take complete control following a promising opening forty five from the Town.
This was made even more difficult when Jacob Charlie Shilton was sent off, being given a second yellow card for a late challenge, allowing the home side to dominate the game, with some super saves from Finn Osborn keeping the scoreline respectable in what was a very testing Bank Holiday fixture.
Kick-Off:
Town started the game positively, with some nice play allowing Charlie Jones time and space to fire over from just outside the box.
Clearly full of confidence after Saturday’s win away at Lincoln United, Boro continued to push for an opener early into the contest, as Brad Stretton shown himself to be a real handful yet again, coming agonisingly close on two occasions, hitting just wide of the post from close range and bullying his way into the box flicking the ball over the keeper, but not find the back of the net.
This proved to be a real wake up call for ‘The Royals’, who began to pile on some pressure of their own, coming inches away from taking the lead, striking over the bar from just outside the six yard box.
From then, Sutton Coldfield’s momentum would continue to grow, frustrating the away side, as Jacob Shilton was booked for a foul and Finn Osborn was forced into a solid save, diving across to palm an effort away.
Half-Time: Sutton Coldfield Town 0-0 Nuneaton Town
In the second half, it was clear to see that the tables had turned from how the game started, with the hosts breaking the deadlock only two minutes after the restart, thanks to Reece Gibson, who received the ball inside the area, turning his man and lashing in.
This gave the home side the boost they needed, proceeding to go for the jugular, doubling their lead in the 50th minute, when James Mcgrady was gifted possession, blasting in a rocket past Osborn.
Boro’s woes would continue to worsen, as Jacob Shilton was given his marching order, receiving a second yellow card for a mistimed tackle.
The remainder of the half would be one way traffic with Osborn pulling off some brilliant saves to keep the score at two-nil.
A tough day at the office for the Town who must now prepare for a huge FA Cup clash against step three Bromsgrove Sporting.
Full-Time: Sutton Coldfield Town 2-0 Nuneaton Town
MOTM: Eesa Sawyers
Attendance: 532
Team: Finn Osborn, Harry Chesterton, Jacob Shilton (Y, 32’, Y-R, 59’), Declan Somel (Harrison, 65’), Aaron Roberts ©, Luke Softley, Eesa Sawyers, Caine Elliot (Snook, 86’), Terry Atem (Y, 49’, Murphy, 72’), Charlie Jones, Brad Stretton (Hendrie, 79’)
Substitutes: Marley Sweenie-Rowe, Jay Snook, Liam Murphy, Stuart Hendrie, James Harrison
Next-Up: Town travel to Worcestershire for a cracker of a cup tie, as they take on Southern League Central side Bromsgrove Sporting in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, on Saturday 5th September with a 3pm kick off time.
