Town's winning run eclipsed by Drews but get the ton up with stalemate - Match Report & Reaction: NTFC 0 LSA 0

Match report by Matt Jones

Nuneaton Town 0-0 Leicester St Andrew's
Att: 857
Match Day Sponsor: Sapcote Window Cleaning
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Programme Sponsor: Andy Pace

Newly crowned Midland League Division 1 champions Nuneaton Town made a triumphant return to The Oval on Saturday afternoon backed by their largest home crowd of the season, against third placed Leicester St Andrew's, looking to confirm their play off place.

With the title won, Darren Acton and Russell Dodd opted to rotate the side, with Cody Mullan and Callum Thorpe getting a start in place of Declan Somel and Aaron Williams who were on the bench. The Drews named 3 former Nuneaton players in Greg Mills, Jorrin John and Jamie Hood in their starting 11.

It took just 25 seconds for Nuneaton to have their first chance, a ball over the top from Stuart Hendrie found Danico Johnson away down the right, but he was only able to scuff a shot just wide of the post. Josh Crossley had an effort the other way for the Drews within the first couple of minutes.

Johnson's early game joy getting in behind the Drews defence continued on 6 minutes as he took on his defender before curling wide.

With a quarter-hour gone though Drews should have got in front as a misjudged header from Loyiso Recci fell to Crossley, but his effort across goal was excellently saved by Brandon Bache in the Town goal.

Drews were now settled into the game after their shaky start and were providing the main goal threat in a tight game. A free kick was won just outside the box and Corey Bucalossi's effort was tipped over the crossbar by Bache. Another chance went begging from the corner as Greg Mills headed straight at Bache from just a few yards out.

Bache was again in action on 38 minutes as he pushed a Bucalossi effort wide from inside the box, and denied the same man again just a minute before half time as he caught the Town defence out to get through one on one, but closed him down excellently.

Half time: Nuneaton Town 0-0 Leicester St Andrew's

The second half started much like the first ended, with Drews edging a tight contest. Callum Carsley's speculative effort from distance on 52 minutes did test Luke McAdam in goal but was tipped over the bar.

Unfortunately the game became bogged in midfield and became tetchy, and yellow cards started flowing like water, as first Trevor Edwards' late challenge was punished - the free kick drawing another save from Bache - Dom Perkins and Jamie Hood both booked for an off the ball incident after it. Cody Mullan was next 6 minutes later for a late challenge.

A triple change from Nuneaton with 25 to go as James Spruce, Aaron Williams and Dec Somel replaced James Harrison, Cody Mullan and Callum Thorpe, failed to stop the flow of cards, as Hendrie on 70, Warren for Drews on 73, and Currithers on 76 were followed by Russell Dodd on 78 minutes as an offside on Johnson was argued.

And unfortunately match action lacked as both sides cancelled each other out, Justin Marsden was given a few minutes replacing Hendrie, while Greg Mills was the final player in the referee's full up notebook in the final minute, having been judged to have dived under pressure from Edwards.

The long winning run that had started back in December was finally over, but Nuneaton got the draw they needed to extend their unbeaten league run to 21 and get their 100th point of the season to add gloss to their title win. Drews' point was enough to confirm their play off place at the same time.

Full time: Nuneaton Town 0-0 Leicester St Andrew's

Coach Dan Kembery shared his thoughts on today's match: