Match report and Reaction: Chelmsley Town 0 - Nuneaton TOwn FC 2

Match report and reaction by Matt Jones

Nuneaton Town made the short trip to Coleshill on Monday evening to face Chelmsley Town for the first time in their history.

A couple of hundred ‘Boro’ fans still smiling from the opening day thrashing of Paget Rangers were in attendance hoping to see another win and a chance to extend the lead at the top with most other teams playing on Tuesday or Wednesday.

In came Louis Baker and Danico Johnson for the injured pair of James Spruce (broken nose) and Stuart Hendrie (hamstring).

Nuneaton Town started well and dominated the early possession. But Chelmsley held firm until the 7th minute when Baker got a shot away which was well saved by the keeper, Harry Jackson was there on the rebound but the ball came at him too quick and he couldn't adjust in time to direct the header on target.

Chemsley got a couple of shots away a few minutes later that both went over the bar.

On 24 minutes a NTFC corner was whipped in and the header looped onto the cross bar. The Chelmsley defence somehow managed to prevent the ball from dropping over the line.

In the 31st minute, Nuneaton did however find the breakthrough. A cross into the box from Baker was just behind Danico Johnson but he had the presence of mind to see Cody Mullan in space on the edge of the box and he duly fired the ball across the keeper and into the corner. (1-0)

Nuneaton doubled their lead two minutes later (33 minutes) as Trevor Edwards whipped in a cross and Louis Baker got above his defender to loop a header over the keeper and into the net. (2-0)

They were rampant now and nearly added a third through Louis Baker again, but his cheeky flick from a cross only found the keepers gloves.

Half time:

Chelmsley Town 0-2 Nuneaton Town

The second half started much like the first, but with a lead and having played just 2 days prior, Nuneaton were content to not take too many risks. On 54 minutes Harry Jackson latched on to a lovely chipped pass from Danico Johnson but was slightly off balance with the shot and the keeper saved.

Aaron Williams and James Harrison replaced Harry Jackson and Louis Baker as Boro freshened up their forward line, but on 68 minutes Chelmsley had their best chance of the match. A corner was headed and blocked, then on the rebound the effort found the underside of the crossbar and bounced away. A third effort in a few seconds was well saved by Brandon Bache.

Justin Marsden replaced Cody Mullan for the final 15 minutes. Then Liam Daly had some joy from a couple of corners, trying a rabona from the left before a couple of minutes later looping a cross onto the crossbar with the keeper backpedalling.

The team worked hard to maintain the 2 goal lead and ultimately looked comfortable in seeing the game out. There was just one final chance in stoppage time as James Harrison got through on goal, but the defender got back just in time to block his shot.

2 wins out of 2 for Boro and they maintain their perfect start to the season, with comfortability. Wednesfield away on Saturday 10th up next.

Full time:

Chelmsley Town 0-2 Nuneaton Town

Att: 402

Team: Bache, Daly, Recci, Batchelor, Mullan (Marsden 75), Currithers, Somel, Baker (Williams 56), Jackson (Harrison 62), Johnson

Subs: Williams, Marsden, Harrison, Josh Whitehouse, Bruce

REACTION:

Joint manager Russell Dodd said after the game:

'It went well, it's hard after 1 days rest, we don't normally play on a Monday after Saturdays game. We've got to come here and dig that result out. The last 25 minutes of the first half (once we began to win second balls) we scored two great goals and the lads have done well, they've dug in and it's a great result for us'.

On the injuries:

'The injury to Stuart Hendrie isn't as bad as we thought, we couldn't take the risk (on Saturday) at 3-1 up, I'd rather he be out for a week or two than 3 months. Sprucey (James Spruce) has been the hospital and they've gotta click it back in, so as soon as they've done that he'll be able to play again (with a protective mask). We're just waiting for a date on that.'

Match photos by Simon Kimber will be shared here this evening and are on our Facebook page: