Recci to the rescue as Heather's flowering double falters - Match Report & Reaction: Heather St. John’s 1 - NTFC 1

Danico Johnson is fouled in the box to award NTFC a penalty - Photo by Matt Davenport - Match photos available here - https://www.nuneatontownfc.co.uk/news/match-photos-heather-st-johns-1-1-ntfc

Heather St John's 1-1 Nuneaton Town

(McGarrity 33 : Recci 72)

Att 426

Nuneaton Town made the short trip to St John's park to face Heather St John's in a top of the table clash on Saturday afternoon.

With several players unavailable for selection, Nuneaton called upon two new signings in their starting 11 - Defenders Ben Vallance and Sam Paddock, replacing Dom Perkins and Callum Carsley.

Nuneaton, looking to avenge their home defeat to Heather in August, made a positive start but were unable to create clear cut chances against a stubborn home defence. On 19 minutes Heather had a strong handball appeal in the Nuneaton box waved away by the referee, shortly after Danico Johnson was hacked down by Max Dutton for Heather's first yellow card.

An effort from Heather on 27 was well wide, and at the other end Aaron Williams had a snapshot that flashed wide of the near post on 29. Jacob Carter also went into the book on the half hour as he mistimed his challenge on Trevor Edwards.

On 33 minutes though, somewhat against the run of play a through ball should have been dealt with by Brandon Bache, but having decided he'd be able to let it roll into the box to pick up, rather than kick it away, he unfortunately slipped and left Nathan McGarrity with an open net to roll home into (0-1).

Buoyed by going in front, Heather were on the front foot for most of the remainder of the half, but the score remained the same.

Half time:

Heather St John's 1-0 Nuneaton Town

As the second half began Nuneaton were almost level in seconds, as a ball over the top found James Spruce, but his lob over the advancing keeper fell agonisingly just wide of the post.

Three minutes later James Harrison had another opportunity in the box but scuffed it into the keeper's hands under pressure, as Nuneaton started to create chances again.

Declan Somel came on for Cody Mullan, and two more yellows for Heather followed as George Wesley was booked for a late challenge, and Kai Thomas was adjudged to have dived by the referee a couple of minutes later.

On 71 minutes though the game changed as Danico Johnson picked the ball up on the left and drove into the box, the defender mistimed his tackle, and he was brought down for a penalty. Loyiso Recci stepped up a minute later and fired the penalty to the keepers left, as he dived the other way. (1-1)

Josh Whitehouse replaced James Spruce as Nuneaton tried to find a winner. A fifth yellow card for Heather came for Kyle Jardine for a late challenge, the free kick was worked to Johnson, who had a shot from the edge of the box, but the defenders deflection made it comfortable for the keeper.

Corey Currithers was booked in the final minute as he was adjudged to have pulled down a Heather player that backed into him.

A draw it finished, a fair result, Heather proving themselves difficult to beat once again. Next up, the rearranged trip to Gornal on Tuesday.

Full time:

Heather St John's 1-1 Nuneaton Town

REACTION:

Darren Acton reflected after the game:

'First half I don't think we really got going, both teams didn't really create much. There was the mistake for the goal, but before that it seemed like we were just getting into the game. Half time we rectified a few things, and in the second half I thought we were the much better team, we created more than they did, we kept their attack shut out. In the end we've done quite well.'

On how Heather broke up Nuneaton's play with effectiveness, and the new players:

'That's the level of football we're at. We were frustrated the two lads were missing but we've brought two new lads in and they did well to be fair to them. They've done their job, no mistakes, it takes some time for them to get to know the team. I think they've done a great job.'

On preparation for Tuesday's away game at Gornal:

'Yeah it's another away game, going there on a Tuesday night not the best place to go to. We've got to take a team down and get a result out of it. The point we got here could be a big point at the end of the season, so we've just got to go there and try and get a result.'