Where there's a Will-o there's a way as Town Sile the title at Rangers - match report: N’Ton Sileby rangers 0 NTFC 3

By Matt Jones

Northampton Sileby Rangers 0-3 Nuneaton Town
(Jardine 21, Carsley 43(p), Williams 90+7)

Attendance: 475

Nuneaton Town got themselves back on track just in time as they comfortably beat Northampton Sileby Rangers on Saturday afternoon to seal the United Counties League Premier South title. Goals from Kyle Jardine, Callum Carsley and Aaron Williams sealed a second league title and promotion in succession.

Nuneaton went into the game with no win in 6, and with Atherstone Town racing to close the gap, they knew they had to restart the form that had got them to 20 points clear earlier in the season, if they were to get over the line. Callum Carsley, Michael McGrath and Charlie Jones made a welcome return to the starting line up, in place of Aaron Brown, Tali Jallow and James Harrison, who dropped to the bench.

Nuneaton made a bright start, putting some early pressure on the Rangers defence with the blustery wind behind them. McGrath's free kick from half way on 5 minutes dropped just beyond Jardine's toe in the box, while Carsley has had great success with corners this season, and rattled the crossbar directly from his first corner on 10 minutes.

The wind was playing havoc with the home defence, and the Rangers keeper nearly palmed the ball into his own net on 20 minutes as he horribly misjudged the flight of the ball, but it dropped onto the roof of the net. However from the corner Carsley tried his luck again, and whipped it perfectly over the keeper's head towards the far corner, with Jardine getting the faintest of touches to give Town the lead with his 38th of an impressive season (1-0).

Jardine had a chance to make it two soon after, as he latched onto a ball over the top, rounded the keeper, but from a tight angle saw his effort blocked by the defender on the line.

Further chances came on 34 minutes as some good link up play between the front 3, saw Stuart Hendrie have a chance to shoot from the edge of the box, but he scuffed it wide. Then on 38 minutes Eesa Sawyers beat the offside trap and had a sighter of goal, but misjudged the bounce of the ball just enough to slice his effort wide as he tried to lift it over the advancing keeper.

On 42 minutes the game swung further in the away teams favour, as Jardine latched onto a ball over the top, which he shielded excellently until he could get a chance for a shot, which left the defender William Ronald no option but to haul him over to prevent the goal. A penalty was given but Ronald somehow escaped a red card. Carsley duly stepped up and lashed the ball into the keeper's top left corner from the penalty spot (2-0).

Half time: Northampton SR 0-2 Nuneaton Town

With Nuneaton playing into the wind 2nd half, they looked to sit on the lead and take no risks with what was at stake.

On 50 minutes Kobi Bivens managed to break through the away defence but skied his effort from in the box.

With an hour gone Rangers had their best chance of the game, as McGrath tried to see the ball out for a throw in, only for the wind to keep it in play, and Rangers broke with a 3 on 1 into the box, however they somehow let Town off as the first shot was blocked, and the rebound sliced horribly wide.

That missed chance saw home heads drop, and the away defence kept themselves compact to keep the clean sheet.

The substitutions came with James Harrison replacing Hendrie for the last 11 minutes, and with 5 to go Aaron Brown and Dante Hesson replaced Corey Currithers and Kyle Jardine, to give the 3 a chance for their own ovations from the fans.

Hesson fancied a goal himself, and on 87 minutes played a 1-2 with Williams on the edge of the box, but his effort went just over.

One final sub in stoppage time saw Tali Jallow replace Declan Somel, and as the clock ticked into the 7th minute of stoppage time, it seemed fitting that the last kick of Nuneaton Town's league season resulted in a goal, as Williams latched onto a ball into the box, poking through the keeper's legs on the stretch with his second touch, sending the Town fans into raptures (3-0).

The referee blew the full time whistle immediately after the goal, and Nuneaton Town started the party that will continue long into the night, as they finished top of the table for the second successive season. They can look forward to locking horns with old foes Barwell, Mickleover, Rushden & Diamonds, Corby, and likely also Bedworth United in a double Oval clash that looks set to be huge for both clubs, in the Northern Premier League Division 1 Midlands next season.

With Boston Town having won the UCL North division this afternoon with a 6-0 win over Hucknall Town, the two will clash at the Oval next Saturday to have the chance to add another trophy to a growing collection.

Full time: Northampton SR 0-3 Nuneaton Town

Next up:

Sat 18 Apr - 3pm

United Counties League Premier Division Champions Cup

Boston Town (Hall)