Town badger their way to the points at Bugbrooke to go eight clear - Match Report: Bugbrooke St Michaels 0 NTFC 1

By Matt Jones

Bugbrooke St Michael's 0-1 Nuneaton Town
(Olofinjana 68)
Attendance: 240

Nuneaton Town battled to another 3 points to maintain their perfect league start to a seventh game as Femi Olofinjana's second half effort secured the points.

In tough, blustery conditions and with several regular players missing, Nuneaton found it tough to break through a defence that had conceded 13 goals in their opening 7 games.

Making starts were temporary covers Daniel Rachel in goal, standing in for Brandon Bache, Callum Gillies in for Callum Carsley, and Femi Olofinjana for Ben Whitehead-Thompson, as well as Charlie Jones in for Declan Somel. Danico Johnson, who returned to the club this week, made the bench.

The first chance came on 7 minutes, Gillies whipping a ball into the box, which Kyle Jardine attempted to overhead kick but missed, the ball was headed to Aaron Williams who blazed over.

Shortly after Jones won a free kick on the edge of the box which Jardine curled into the Bugbrooke keeper's gloves. Bugbrooke could have took the lead themselves on 18 minutes but the cross into the box was headed over.

Midway through the half Jardine had a turn and shot in the box which saw the keeper dive to his right to push away, whilst on the half hour Williams found space on the edge of the box to unleash an effort that the keeper did very well to push wide on the stretch.

With the weather worsening, the one final chance of the half came in stoppage time as Kai Thomas' long throw was glanced on by Jardine but the keeper anticipated well to hold on to.

Half time: Bugbrooke St Michael's 0-0 Nuneaton Town

The wind calmed down and the rain stopped over half time, and Nuneaton were able to play some better football at the start of the second half, and kept Bugbrooke mostly in their own half. Jardine headed a Gillies cross over the bar four minutes into the half, whilst ten minutes in another turn and shot in the box from Jardine rattled the crossbar, with Williams only able to head the rebound into the keeper's gloves.

Olofinjana was the first Nuneaton player into the book on 63 minutes as he was yellow carded for preventing a counter attack, although he felt he was fouled first. But it was the ex-Birmingham City academy player who had his moment in the limelight five minutes later, as a Thomas long throw into the box was glanced on to him by Williams and he turned home smartly on the volley to give the keeper no chance and the breakthrough was finally made (1-0).

Although Nuneaton were content to hold on to a hard earned lead, with Danico Johnson making his return to the field, replacing James Harrison, he almost created a goal within minutes as a smart no look through ball to Williams brought an effort that was well saved.

James Spruce was the second and final substitute replacing Eesa Sawyers in stoppage time, and was harshly singled out for time wasting by the referee and booked within 3 minutes, as Nuneaton camped out in Bugbrooke's corner trying to play out time. And after what seemed like an age the referee blew his whistle to seal a 7th win out of 7 for Nuneaton Town in the league this season.

Full time: Bugbrooke St Michael's 0-1 Nuneaton Town

With 9 man Daventry Town going down 4-2 at Yaxley and incredibly all other sides drawing, the win sent Nuneaton Town 8 points clear at the top with the next league game not until a week on Tuesday.

Next up:

Godmanchester Rovers (a) - United Counties League Cup 1st Round (TBC)

Team:

Rachel, Thomas, Recci, Olofinjana, Gillies, Currithers, Williams, Jones, Sawyers (Spruce 90+1), Harrison (Johnson 72), Jardine

Subs:

Hesson, Edwards, Johnson, Martin, Spruce