Nuneaton Town 3 - 2 Dover Athletic

[dutchman]

[dutchman]

Boro take win in a Conference classic



THE Liam Daish affect is starting to shine through for the Boro as they made it two wins on the spin for the first time in more than 20 games on Tuesday night.

Not since the Boro beat Welling and Tamworth back in March have they managed to make it six points from six – but they did just that against Dover.

It was not all positive points for the home side, though, Nuneaton threw away a 2-0 goal lead in what was a classic Conference encounter.

The fact is, despite showing a vulnerability for 20 minutes against Dover, under Daish they are a hard team to play against and have rediscovered that fighting spirit that served them so well under Kev Wilkin.

They showed just how hard they are to play against in the 16th minute as new man Onome Sodje marked his Nuneaton debut by giving them the lead from a tight angle.

His goal was a smartly taken one, showing all the signs that he could be the forward the Boro have been crying out for – but it was somewhat overshadowed 15 minutes later.

James Armson has been struggling to find his form this season, but he served up a reminder of how good he is just after the half hour mark, the Boro man smashing home a half volley from fully 30-yards that sailed into the top corner of the net.

The goal was a real treasure from the England C man, but it was not allowed to be enjoyed for long by the home fans.

That is because Dover halved the deficit just four minutes later.

Ricky Miller grabbed the goal as he took advantage of some sloppy defending to steal in and lift the ball over an advancing Reice Charles-Cook.

The Boro lost the swagger they had been playing with after that goal and it was no surprise when the visitors drew level six minutes after the break.

Stefan Payne was the man on target for the Kent based side as he headed home after some slack marking once again in the Boro box.

Many would have forseen Dover going on to finish the comeback after that goal – but the Boro are made of sterner stuff under new boss Daish.

The home side somehow found an extra gear again and pushed on to take retake the lead with just over ten minutes remaining.

Connor Franklin scored what turned out to the winner with a far post header, the full-back superbly picked out by a deep cross into the box by Lee Fowler.

Sodje went close to doubling that lead soon after, but his effort raced across goal before going out of play, the Boro having to settle for a one goal advantage for a six point haul in a week.

NUNEATON TOWN: Charles-Cook, Franklin, Dean, Armson, Walker (Smith 90), Streete, Curran (Hutchinson 61), Fowler, Charles, Dawson, Sodje.

Subs not used: Brown, Dyer, McSweeney.

DOVER ATHLETIC: Rafferty, Stone, Orlu, Bonner, Essam, Sterling (Raggett 15 (Murphy 83), Lock, Deverdics, Nanetti, Payne (Reid 63), Miller.

SUBS NOT USED: Kinnear, Hook.

ATTENDANCE: 753

MAN OF THE MATCH: James Armsons