Town say Oad-bye to Wembley as they crash out of Vase - Match Report: GNG oadby Town 3 NTFC 1
By Matt Jones
GNG Oadby Town 3-1 Nuneaton Town
(Nnaji 43, Mendez 51, 81 : Jardine 45)
Att 150
Nuneaton Town's Wembley dreams came to a shuddering halt on Saturday afternoon as their FA Vase run came to an end at the hands of GNG Oadby Town thanks to a 2nd half double from Mario Mendez.
Oadby, only reinstated into the Vase due to Clay Cross Town being removed due to an ineligible player in their win over them, were in truth deserving of their win on a heavy pitch and in windy conditions that they coped with better than the away side.
Aaron Williams made a first start in weeks, replacing the suspended Corey Currithers, with Kai Thomas replacing Cody Mullan on the right wing after his impressive 2nd half showing against Aylestone Park.
Nuneaton huffed and puffed in the opening minutes trying to find the breakthrough, Aaron Williams had the game's first chance, heading over with less than a minute gone. James Harrison had a great chance on the quarter hour as he beat the keeper to a through ball, but the defence were quick to realise the danger and Harrison's effort was prevented from opening the scoring by a great block.
With 21 minutes gone Williams was fouled just inside the box, but Kyle Jardine put the shot over the bar from the spot.
Another chance fell 5 minutes later as Jardine had a shot in the box saved, and then the keeper got up quickly to keep out Harrison's rebound.
With 3 minutes left in the half Williams had another effort saved, and it proved costly as Oadby broke and with little to no press, Nnaji was played through to slot it into the far corner (0-1).
Nuneaton knew they had to respond quickly, and from a Thomas throw in Aaron Brown headed to an open Jardine to volley in the equaliser just before the whistle (1-1).
Half time: GNG Oadby Town 1-1 Nuneaton Town
The second half mainly mirrored the first, with the away side dominant in possession, but the home side dangerous on the break.
Although Nuneaton dominated the opening 6 minutes, an Oadby break found Mario Mendez on the wing and cutting inside Loyiso Recci curled his effort in off the post from a tight angle to restore Oadby's lead (1-2).
It became rinse and repeat for Nuneaton as they battled to try and equalise, with every cross headed away, every shot blocked. Eesa Sawyers replaced Charlie Jones on the hour as Nuneaton switched formation, with Harrison heading wide 3 minutes later from a Thomas cross. Sawyers had a go himself on 67 minutes, chesting and volleying over the bar.
With 73 minutes gone a triple change for Nuneaton saw Alex Lock, Cody Mullan and Danico Johnson replace Williams, Harrison and Somel.
With 9 left, a Sawyers low cross found Mullan on the edge of the box but the ball bobbled just as he went to hit it and the shot went over the bar. And from the goal kick Oadby were again able to just one-two their way through the defence and Mendez was there again to slot it in off the post to seal the win (1-3).
Nuneaton kept trying but in reality offered little in the remaining time to put the result in jeopardy. A disappointing performance at a side that they'd beaten comfortably at the Oval earlier in the season, and will return for the reverse league game in 2 weeks needing to be a lot lot better to avoid a similar result.
With March Town winning in the league at the same time, Nuneaton now go into a crucial game on Tuesday night looking to re-take the lead at the top. With the FA Vase no longer an option, Nuneaton will look to maintain a promotion challenge instead.
Full time: GNG Oadby Town 3-1 Nuneaton Town
Next up: Tue 9 Dec: Moulton (a) (League - 7:45pm)
