Honours even in historic derby - Match Report and Reaction: Nuneaton Town 1 - Nuneaton Griff 1

Louis Baker fires home the NTFC equaliser.

Match report by Matt Jones

Nuneaton Town 1-1 Nuneaton Griff
(Baker 57)
Mon 26 August 2024, 19:45
Matchday sponsor: Pete Randle
Matchball sponsor: Georgia Brown and Amelie Healy

Monday afternoon saw a historic first league meeting between Nuneaton's two senior teams, Nuneaton Town and Nuneaton Griff.

In came new signing Richard Gregory for injured Harry Jackson.

Town nearly got in front immediately as they won a corner, Stuart Hendrie nearly scoring directly from it, and a second corner found the head of Daly but was cleared.

Griff managed to get away down the left on 9 mins but the shot was scuffed wide.

Mid way through the half both sides hit the post, Griff first as Liam Daly miskicked a clearance to a Griff player and they were away, and Hendrie whipping in a free kick from the left two minutes later.

Justin Marsden replaced Keenah Rosser on 29 minutes, and 3 minutes later Town hit the woodwork again as Daly's header from a corner glanced the top of the crossbar.

On 39 minutes Griff had a strong penalty shout as Brandon Bache came to smother a pass but caught the player, but it wasn't given, but three minutes later they were ahead, Jared Bradshaw getting away from the defence to lash home the opener from inside the box (0-1).

Half time: Nuneaton Town 0-1 Nuneaton Griff

Nuneaton Town looked to have another strong second half and the introduction of Dec Somel for Corey Currithers seemed to improve the midfield. And Town should have been on terms on 55 mins, James Spruce could have had a shot himself but passed across the box to Louis Baker who skied the ball when the goal was gaping.

James Harrison entered the play for James Spruce, and Baker made amends though just two minutes later as he received the ball on the edge of the box and rifled the ball into the bottom corner between a couple of defenders (1-1).

Town looked to find a winner but found themselves frustrated by a lack of clear chances, and despite the introduction of Danico Johnson for Richard Gregory, they couldn't find a winner, and bar two yellow cards for Griff for challenges on Bache and Marsden, they managed to hold on to the point.

Town will be the more frustrated team with the result, more points lost at home early in the season, in front of a big crowd for this level, and lost ground in the early stages of the title race. A top of the table clash away at Smethwick Rangers on Saturday awaits, with Town looking to improve.

Full time: Nuneaton Town 1-1 Nuneaton Griff
Att: 779
NTFC Man of the match (awarded by Pete and Eileen Randle - Matchday sponsors): Loyiso Recci

REACTION:

Coach Dan Kembery said after the game:

'It's a frustrating day today, story of the games so far this season, creating the chances but not putting them away. We spoke about the importance of second balls, and when we win headers from set pieces we've got to be alive to it and put the chances away. It's getting to the point now where it's the difference between 3 points and 1 point. Credit where it's due to Nuneaton Griff they worked extremely hard today but even with their goal we should have done a lot better'.

On the first halves starting slowly:

'We've said in there we've got to start games on the front foot. We've got away with it for a few games now in games that we've won. But Nuneaton Griff we've dropped two points today and Heather we've dropped all three. This has to be the wake up call for starting the game right, being on the front foot and taking the game to teams. Especially with the great crowd that turned up today, I don't think we gave them the performance that they deserved.'

On the Smethwick Rangers game Saturday:

'There's no easy games in this league now the boys know that, ultimately the players and the quality we've got we should be putting teams to bed. A top of the table clash we have to be on it and focused from the start.'

On new signing Richard Gregory:

'He held the ball up well, there was a few times he was looking for ball to feet and it went in behind him, and I think that's part of him coming in and getting used to playing with the players around him. He put the ball in the net, unfortunately it was offside, but it shows the threat that he can have.'