Harrison at the double as Town make waves in the fog in derby day clash - Match Report & Reaction: Griff 0 - NTFC 2

Match report by Matt Jones

Nuneaton Griff 0-2 Nuneaton Town
(Harrison 15, 64)
Attendance: 1183

Nuneaton Town made a long awaited return to their hometown for a day on Boxing Day afternoon as they faced neighbours Nuneaton Griff at the Pingles.

In front of a bumper four-figure crowd, the highest of the day anywhere at this level, both sides battled through a thick fog that hung over the town all afternoon.

With an eye on rotating players for Saturday's home game against Lutterworth, Acton and Dodd swapped Aaron Williams into the starting 11 for Declan Somel who dropped to the bench.

Within 2 minutes of the start Town nearly took an early lead as Louis Baker got to a loose ball ahead of the Griff keeper Divin Emmanuel and passed to James Harrison, but his effort was blocked by a defender onto the post.

On 11 minutes a Callum Carsley corner was headed away by the defender straight to Dom Perkins who's first time header was clawed away by the keeper.

Bang on 15 minutes though, the number 15 put Town in front, as James Spruce won the ball from the defender on the right and found Harrison in the box and he cleverly flicked it with his heel past the goalkeeper and into the net for the lead (1-0).

On the half hour it should have been two, as Spruce latched onto a through ball and tried to flick the ball over the keeper, who got enough of a hand on it to keep it out. Immediately Griff went up the other end and Brandon Bache was caught out by his right corner. Luckily for Town Loyiso Recci managed to get back to help keep the ball out of danger.

32 minutes in a Carsley corner was returned to him and on the first time effort whistled the ball just wide of the far post.

After Perkins was booked for a late challenge, intricate play down the left found Spruce on the tight angle but the keeper denied him again, getting fingers on it to push it out for the corner.

First half stoppage time Town pushed for a second, Harrison whistling a shot over from distance, before Spruce was denied twice in two minutes one on one by Emmanuel in the Griff goal who was having a great game.

Half time: Nuneaton Griff 0-1 Nuneaton Town

The fog had grown thicker over half time, and the second half found itself difficult to get going. Griff had a rare chance on 57 minutes as former Boro midfielder Beau Friel sliced an effort wide from the edge of the box after no less than 3 attempted crosses from the right were blocked.

On 61 minutes the Griff keeper denied Harrison this time as Baker found him in space in the box, getting fingertips to his curling effort.

3 minutes later though Harrison and Baker got their revenge, as Baker headed down to Harrison in the box who made no mistake this time and slotted the ball home under him to double Town's lead (2-0).

68 minutes in Harrison tried to complete his hattrick, flicking the ball over the defender on the edge of the box before directing the ball goalwards. The keeper anticipated well to hold the shot.

Declan Somel replaced Aaron Williams as Town started to rest legs for Saturday. With a quarter hour left Harrison had another go at his 3rd, curling one from the edge of the box but again the keeper was ready for it. That was his last action as he and Spruce were replaced by Stuart Hendrie and Sahel Yessen.

Town saw out the remaining minutes without drama as they, finally, kept a clean sheet, only their 2nd since the start of October, and earned the bragging rights over their neighbours after the points were shared at The Oval in the first meeting between the two teams.

Full time: Nuneaton Griff 0-2 Nuneaton Town

Next up, Lutterworth Athletic (h), Saturday 28th December 3pm

Team: Bache, Edwards, Perkins, Recci, Carsley, Currithers, Mullan, Williams (Somel 72), Harrison (Yessen 77), Spruce (Hendrie 77), Baker

Subs: Hendrie, Yessen, Thorpe, Marsden, Somel

Man of the Match: James Harrison

REACTION:

Coach Dan Kembery shared his thoughts after the game:

'I think it was very much one of those games where it was come in, get the job done, and move on to the next one. At times we struggled with the pitch a little bit, some of the lads were saying how heavy it was at times.

But we've dominated the majority of the game, the biggest thing for us was getting the second goal. We wanted it as soon as we could, but once we did it kind of put us at ease. At 1-0 it's still an open game all it takes is a ball over the top or something that could unsettle us a bit. So the most important thing is we got the job done and move on to Lutterworth in 2 days time.'

On the difference between the previous meeting at The Oval that finished 1-1 and today:

'We've created more chances today, I think we've come on a lot since then, we've grown as a team, we were getting the ball so far and it was breaking down a bit at times, whereas now we're more concise with the passes and getting the ball in behind, the players are understanding each other's movements. They're getting used to playing with each other as well so that's a big factor.

I think to be fair when the Griff came to The Oval they were really up for it, and they brought the game to us, whereas today we knew more about what to expect. It wasn't as much of a shock to us that they were in our faces and up for it from the start.'

On the difficult conditions, fog, pitch etc:

'I don't know if it affected it too much, obviously it didn't help with the visibility at times, but we gave a professional performance, good to get another clean sheet again.'

On the quick turnaround for Saturday's game:

'It is a quick turnaround but I think the lads are professional enough to recover well tonight and tomorrow, and be ready for Saturday. It's why we used the subs today to give players time to rest and recover. But yeah we'll look forward to Saturday, being back at home after a few tough games on the road.'