Town Are Dynamite to Beat Dynamo - Match Report: NTFC 3-0 Saffron Dynamo
Photo by Simon Kimber
Tuesday 10th September 2024: Nuneaton Town 3-0 Saffron Dynamo
(Johnson 31, Harrison 34, Williams 86)
Match Sponsor: Stuart HVAC Renewables
Match Ball Sponsor: Nuneaton Town Music Events
Nuneaton Town were back at The Oval on Tuesday night as they faced Saffron Dynamo for the first time.
With Liam Daly and Loyiso Recci unavailable for tonight's game, in came defensive duo Tyler Donaldson and Lee Vaughan.
Saffron had the first chance of the game on 2 minutes, as a header in the box was held by Brandon Bache in goal.
On 8 minutes, Saffron should have opened the scoring as a pass across the back line from Nuneaton inadvertently came off a heel and left Saffron through on goal. The shot beat Bache but luckily cannoned off the inside of the post and all the way across the goal line before spinning out.
That warning seemed to kick Nuneaton into gear and they wrestled control of the game from then on. However, Saffron defended well, whilst trying to hit on the break. The first big chance for Town came on 19 minutes as James Harrison took on his defender on the corner of the 18 yard box and got a shot away that hit the far post and out.
On 31 minutes, Nuneaton took the lead. Cody Mullan picked up the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a shot which was blocked by the defender. It fell kindly to Danico Johnson and, despite the tight angle, managed to rifle the ball into the far corner (1-0).
No sooner was it 1, then it was 2! On 34 minutes, Aaron Williams picked up the ball on the left, before crossing it into the box. The keeper came out and got his fists to it but didn't quite get the middle of the ball and it fell straight to James Harrison, who headed the ball back over the keeper and into the net (2-0).
Nuneaton were now dominant and further chances came thick and fast.Williams firing wide on 36. Harrison on 38 minutes crossed into the box from the left and it almost went straight in but for the keeper’s fingertips pushing it onto the crossbar and out. On 41 minutes, Spruce scuffed a shot into the keeper’s hands under pressure from his defender.
Half time:
Nuneaton Town 2-0 Saffron Dynamo
The second half started as the first did, with Saffron on top, and creating the first chance. They should have got a goal back within two minutes as they outnumbered the NTFC defence to get clear on the right, but the shot was sliced well wide.
Trevor Edwards, who was first to everything on the left side of defence, intercepted a pass, and decided to run at the defence himself, but his effort was unfortunately well over the bar.
The remainder of the second half was Nuneaton looking to preserve the lead and chances were few and far between. Lee Vaughan was yellow carded for an off the ball incident with the Saffron bench.
Cody Mullan on 58 minutes had an effort from the edge of the box that whistled past the keeper’s right hand post. Shortly after, Louis Baker replaced Danico Johnson. Mullan had another go, this time from a corner, and it skimmed the top of the crossbar.
Josh Whitehouse and Justin Marsden replaced James Harrison and Corey Currithers. The fresh legs gave Nuneaton a new found energy. Louis Baker should have scored on the 85th minute, blazing over with the goal at his mercy.
Just a minute later, Williams received the ball on the edge of the box and slotted it perfectly into the bottom corner with the keeper wrong footed (3-0).
There was still time for Saffron's number 5 to be sent off for punching Louis Baker, and Williams was booked for a late challenge himself.
The Town saw out a first home clean sheet with relative ease.
Full time:
Nuneaton Town 3-0 Saffron Dynamo
Att 273
Team: Bache, Edwards, Donaldson, Perkins, Vaughan, Currithers (Marsden 80), Williams, Mullan, Harrison (Whitehouse 83), Spruce, Johnson (Baker 71)
Subs: Marsden, Baker, Josh Whitehouse, Wallis, Birta
Joint manager Darren Acton commented after the game:
'I thought we were outstanding tonight. I thought everything went to plan. We knew they were going to come with a game plan. We cut it out well, dominated in every area, we didn't let them play, and I just thought we played really, really well.'
On a first home clean sheet of the season and the two new defenders:
'Obviously with Loyiso (Recci) missing we've brought two lads in. I thought Ty was outstanding. He played really well, and Lee Vaughan.’
On having a free Saturday this weekend:
'The players will train Thursday, prepare right, then I think the lads will have a little get together with Saturday off. Have a few beers, because I think they deserve it, and then obviously prepare for the game Tuesday.'
