Hammers hammered at The Oval as Town nail themselves to the summit - Match Report and Reaction: NTFC 4 - Cradley Town 1

Match report by Matt Jones

Nuneaton Town 4-1 Cradley Town

(Harrison 14, Perkins 48, Baker 77, Jackson 86 : Harrold 83)

Att: 402

Nuneaton Town were back at home on Saturday afternoon in a first meeting with Cradley Town.

A minute's silence was held before the game for Malcolm Green, and Les Perkins, long term Nuneaton fans who sadly passed away recently, and also for Remembrance Sunday, with no further home games before then.

Naming an unchanged side from Tuesday, Nuneaton started off the brighter, but a resolute defence from Cradley restricted chances. In fact it was Cradley who had the first golden opportunity. On 13 minutes Goalkeeper Matt Hill came for a through ball but whilst trying to shepherd it into the box he had to kick it away straight to a Cradley player, but the shot was straight at him and he saved.

Just a minute later though Nuneaton punished Cradley for their miss, as Stu Hendrie picked up the ball from Trevor Edwards on the right, and crossed into the box where James Harrison met it at the far post above his defender to head it into the corner for the opener (1-0).

On 26 minutes a controversial moment, as Harrison got through on goal on the left but his snapshot was just wide. The Cradley keeper complained that Harrison was offside in the build up, but was booked for it, but not sent to the sin bin.

32 minutes in, Johnson had a good chance, receiving the ball in the box with his back to goal, but not realising what time he had, hit it over his head just over the bar.

Trevor Edwards was booked for delaying a throw in on 37, and a Cradley free kick from the edge of the box a minute before half time landed on the roof of the net, but, goal aside, the half was a midfield battle with Nuneaton just shading the play.

Half time:

Nuneaton Town 1-0 Cradley Town

The 2nd half started with Nuneaton on the attack, and 4 minutes in won a corner on the right. When it came in Corey Currithers, Dominic Perkins, and one of the Cradley defenders all tried to hit the ball in opposite directions, and it looped up over the keeper and into the net, Perkins appeared to get the final touch (2-0).

Cradley were not about to give up though and 2 minutes later created a good opportunity of their own. Good interplay on the edge of the box led to a shot from the left side of the box that went inches wide.

James Spruce replaced Danico Johnson on 61, and within a minute Spruce nearly created a goal, a one two with Callum Carsley nearly led to the latter scoring with dad watching on from the sidelines, but it was well saved by the keeper.

Nuneaton rang the changes with 15 to go. Louis Baker, Harry Jackson and Cody Mullan replacing James Harrison, Stuart Hendrie and Declan Somel. And it paid immediate dividends. A lovely through ball to Jackson on 77 minutes was intercepted by the keeper but unfortunately for him, straight to Baker who calmly slotted the ball into the half empty net (3-0).

Snape had an effort for Cradley on the volley on 79 from the edge of the box. Baker was booked for a high challenge on 80. But on 83 minutes the arrears were reduced back to two, as Kane Harrold, just seconds after coming on, finished off one of the moves of the match from Cradley, via a deflection which took it away from Hill, who had deserved a clean sheet (3-1).

Nuneaton however soon repaired the damage just 3 minutes later, as a lapse in concentration from the Cradley left back let Cody Mullan in to steal the ball, and he slotted a perfect cross into Harry Jackson, who toe ended the ball past the keeper and into the bottom corner (4-1).

Mullan could himself have scored on the stroke of full time, but he chose to pass when the shot was the better option, and it came to nothing. There was just time for Justin Marsden to make an appearance and give Aaron Williams a separate ovation for his man of the match performance.

Another win, and one that takes Nuneaton top of the table on goal difference for the time being, although Bilston Town and Coton Green still have a game in hand. Next up, a Midland League Cup match away at Birstall United on Tuesday.

Full time:

Nuneaton Town 4-1 Cradley Town

REACTION:

Joint manager Darren Acton shared his thoughts on the game:

'Yeah happy with the 3 points, happy to be top of the table. First half I think we had the better chances, they (Cradley) didn't create too much. Our play in the first half to create the chances was very good. Defensively I think we were solid too.'

On the importance of rotation in the front three:

'It's important yes, defensively we look very strong, but it's good to be able to rotate up front. Harry Jackson and Louis Baker came on and got on the scoresheet, Cody Mullan created a goal. So we know we can trust the players who come on, to do a job.'

On Tuesday night's cup game away at Birstall United:

'Yeah it's a cup game, it's good to possibly change things up, give players minutes. One of the advantages of the cup is to give players chances.'

On signing a contract with the club this week:

'We've signed a contract for the next couple of years because we want to build good foundations, with the fans, not just the players. We want to work together. It just shows with the fans here, that they are going to be backing the club. On that side of it it's good for the club, the board can focus on getting the club back to Nuneaton, and not worry about who the manager is. Hopefully we can carry on and do a great job here.'