Match Report and Reaction: Wednesfield 0 - NTFC 4 (10/08)
Match report by Matt Jones
Nuneaton Town headed to Wolverhampton for their 2nd away game in a run of 3 in 8 days looking to make it 3 wins from 3 against a Wednesfield side who had lost their first two games both 5-0.
NTFC started with two changes from Monday, new signing Keenan Rosser was in for the departing Kyle Batchelor, and Aaron Williams started in place of Declan Somel. The injured pair of James Spruce and Stuart Hendrie remained absent.
The away side were almost ahead immediately as Harry Jackson got away within 20 seconds but put his effort just wide of the post.
It didn't take long for Town to get ahead though as a Wednesfield defender blocked a cross with his arm on 2 mins, and a penalty was awarded. On the 3rd minute the penalty was taken and scored by Louis Baker (1-0).
Nuneaton would have looked to have added to their tally quickly as they piled on the pressure, but frustratingly no clear cut chances came. Harry Jackson managed to get a tame header on target on 15 mins but really apart from bookings for both sides the away fans were frustrated to get to half time with no further damage to the home side.
Half time:
Wednesfield 0-1 Nuneaton Town
The second half started with 2 changes for Boro, Danico Johnson and Harry Jackson off for James Harrison and Justin Marsden as they looked to get the chances their possession deserved.
On 52 mins Marsden got a header from a cross very nearly on target as it brushed the top of the crossbar.
Corey Currithers had a go on 55 mins from the edge of the box but it was deflected just wide.
On the hour mark though the lead was finally added to as a free kick won right on the edge of the box was taken by Marsden who lashed it low to the keepers right and into the corner (2-0).
Just a minute later Harrison got through from kick off but his shot was off balance and dropped just wide.
It didn't take long for Nuneaton to add to their lead though, as on 65 mins, after some pinball in the box in which there were 2 penalty claims in as many seconds, the ball found its way out to Aaron Williams on the edge of the box who curled it beautifully round the goalkeeper and into the net (3-0).
Nuneaton rang the changes looking to see out the result, with Alfie Birta replacing Rosser, Dec Somel on for Cody Mullan, and Harrison Bruce on for Louis Baker.
However there was still time to add some gloss to the scoreline in the final minute as James Harrison, who had terrorised the defence since he came on, took on another defender on the left before pinpointing a pass across the box to Harrison Bruce who hit it first time into the corner to the keepers right (4-0).
A third win from three for Nuneaton, in truth a very comfortable win against opposition who are having a difficult start to the season. A visit to Sutton Coldfield to face Sutton United up next on Tuesday.
Full time:
Wednesfield 0-4 Nuneaton Town
Att: 118
Team: Bache, Edwards, Rosser (Birta 61), Currithers, Daly, Recci, Mullan (Somel 63), Williams, Baker (Bruce 70), Jackson (Harrison 45), Johnson (Marsden 45)
Subs: Bruce, Marsden, Harrison, Somel, Birta
REACTION:
Club captain Liam Daly spoke after the game:
'I thought we were really poor first half. Great start, the levels we want to be at, Harry should score in the first few seconds but we get a penalty and I'm thinking here we go but after that we had a poor first half. We've made a couple of subs at half time and I think it had a positive impact from the two subs that came on especially James (Harrison) who did very well and Justin (Marsden) with his old head on. I thought second half we were much much better.'
On the favourites tag going into the game:
'I don't want to disrespect the opposition, I haven't played at this level before but I'm slowly adapting to it. It's tough, the surface isn't the best, the grass is very long. But it's a professional result in the end. You've got to come to places like this and the main objective is getting the three points'.
On the next game against Sutton United on Tuesday:
'The managers are going to have a bit of a headache aren't they! Thats what the squad's all about though. Tomorrow's a rest day for the boys, I'm sure they'll have a couple of drinks tonight, you got to enjoy your wins when they come. I was saying what an unbelievable start it would be playing 3 out of 4 away games and coming away with 4 wins if we can achieve that.'
On the fans and the expectation that can build with wins:
'Just look at the support again today, we see and appreciate all the comments on twitter too. We're probably going to be the team that everyone targets. We've got to stay grounded as a team and do things professionally. That's what the managers have asked us to do, we've got two clean sheets out of three and hopefully we can get another one on Tuesday.'
