Match report: Nuneaton Town 6 - Paget Rangers 1

NTFC thrash Paget to get under way

Saturday 3rd August 2024 - Match report by Matt Jones

Nuneaton Town's eagerly anticipated league debut in the Midland Football League Division 1 began with a home match against Paget Rangers at The Oval.

James Spruce having signed up for the Boro in midweek started in attack with the other midweek signing Danico Johnson on the bench.

The match started with a minutes applause for well known Boro fan and volunteer Alan Hudson aka 'Chelsea'.

In front of a fantastic 511 strong crowd having patiently waited for nearly 7 months for a league game it was ‘Boro’ who exerted the early pressure, with Dec Somel heading just wide, and Harry Jackson just missing the target with some early efforts.

Rangers however had failed to read the script and on 23 mins a long throw into the box was headed down to their number 9, who put the ball into the net off the post (0-1)

Boro looked to get back on terms as soon as possible, but they were handed an equaliser by Paget on 27 mins as having won the ball in their own corner an inexplicable pass straight across the goal was gratefully turned in by Batchelor at the back post (1-1).

That seemed to give Boro their confidence back, and having won possession in their own half on 30 mins Harry Jackson flicked a pass round the corner to James Spruce who was left one on one and he scored into the top corner to the keepers right (2-1).

It was one way traffic now. And once Louis Baker came on for an injury to Stuart Hendrie, on 37 mins James Spruce got away on goal again and with good skill feinted to shoot but nonchalantly rounded the keeper and walked the ball into the empty net (3-1).

There was still time for Harry Jackson to get his first shot on target of the match but the Paget keeper saved well to his right.

Half time:

Nuneaton Town 3-1 Paget Rangers

The 2nd half started with Danico Johnson given his first appearance since signing, on for James Spruce who had picked up a facial injury before his goals.

In the heat of the August afternoon, Boro tried to find their way through for more goals, but it took until 59 minutes to add to their lead, Harry Jackson getting through on goal himself and slotting through the keepers legs (4-1).

Jackson nearly scored again just a minute or two later, when he took the Paget defence on by himself and got a shot away, but the keeper held on to it.

The best save of the lot from the Paget keeper who was keeping the score down well came from Baker's flick up and shot just after, as Boro tried to add gloss to the scoreline.

It finally came on 64 minutes as the Paget keeper saved again from Baker after good work from Johnson to set him up on the edge of the box, but Somel was there to slot in the rebound on the volley (5-1).

In the midst of the goals Justin Marsden made his first league appearance for a Nuneaton Town team since Jan 2011, surely the longest between 2 league games for any Nuneaton Borough/Town player.

After a period of conserving energy for Monday, Boro still found the opportunity for one more goal on 79 mins as yet again a player broke the defensive line, this time Baker got through and although the keeper saved his first shot, it fell straight back to Baker's feet and he slotted home (6-1).

Currithers even got a chance for a 7th but the defender did enough to prevent him finding the net in the last minute.

All in all a near perfect start to Step 6 life for Nuneaton Town. Chelmsley Town up next on Monday 5th August.

FULL TIME:

NUNEATON TOWN 6-1 PAGET RANGERS

ATTENDANCE: 511

Team: Bache, Edwards, Batchelor, Currithers, Daly, Recci, Hendrie (Baker 26), Somel (Harrison 81), Spruce (Johnson 45), Mullan (Williams 55), Jackson (Marsden 62)

Subs: Baker, Harrison, Johnson, Williams, Marsden

Joint manager Darren Acton said after the game:

'Great start to the season, from the off I thought we dominated it. It was only the goal we conceded where we let ourselves down, a defensive mistake. We did react to it very very well though. We've got a very good forward line, goals will come from everywhere'.

On the Paget keeper who made a number of saves to keep the score down:

'He was their man of the match for me, he made some great saves, we had a lot of shots on target, it could have been 10 but for him. Respect to Paget though they've come here and given us a game, and I think we've got the squad to go and win these games'.

On the home crowd:

'Crowd was unbelievable, it was so nice to see everyone back in the ground and see so many friendly faces. Just hope we can get even more as the season goes on'.

On the squad and looking ahead to Monday:

'We've picked up a couple of injuries today, Stuart (Hendrie) came off injured and Sprucey (James Spruce) with his nose, not sure if it's broken or not. This is why we have a big squad to try and neutralise it, and they all do a job for us'.

Photography by: Simon Kimber