Three points and a clean sheet!

Nirvana travelled to Desborough on a Tuesday night in the United Counties League hoping to continue their good start to the season.

Thurnby made just one change to their line up after their trip to Rusden and Diamonds. Alex Briggs came back into the midfield instead of the unavailable George Himan. Sean Doy continued in defence alongside King and O’Niel Brooks. Eddy Samba again started in midfield following his debut on Saturday.

Thurnby started the stronger of the two sides Samba instantly setting a quick and incisive tempo. Nirvana took the lead on 8 minutes with Mwanyongo cutting in from the left hitting a shot towards goal with his right foot. The shot didn’t look fierce enough to cause Lavin any problems in the Desborough goal however a slight deflection took the ball into the far corner with the keeper unable to adjust quickly enough.

This goal seemed to spark the hosts into life. Through a mixture of Thurnby’s sloppy play and good attacking play, Desborough created a number of dangerous moments however due to some good defending and bad finishing they were unable to capitalise on this spell. Nirvana did manage to fashion a great chance to go into the break 2-0 up. Melbourne’s closing down pressured the Desborough defence into an error that allowed the Thurnby striker through on goal. Melbourne attempted to role the ball inside the near post but only succeeded in rolling the ball wide of the target. The striker really should have done better.

Half Time – Desborough 0 – 1 Thurnby

Desborough started the second half well putting Nirvana under heavy pressure. Desborough managed to fashion two fantastic chances to get themselves back into the game. Firstly neat play on the edge of the Thurnby box presented the Desborough forward with a great chance from 10 yards with just the keeper to beat. However it was Flinders in the Thurnby goal who came out on top somehow diverting the ball wide with an outstretched leg. Desborough’s second big chance came shortly after in similar fashion. Again Flinders produced a top save to deny the Desborough forward.

This seemed to drain the belief from Desborough and it was Thurnby who struck. Neat play down Thurnby’s right allowed them to work the ball across the box to Mwanyongo who finished coolly for his second of the game. The winger is showing fine form in front of goal show real consistency as well as his undoubted talent.

Nirvana made a double substitution Sean Phillips and Celson Patrocinio coming on for Briggs and A. Day.
From this point on Thurnby Dominated proceedings playing with a confidence and incisiveness that created numerous openings. It was the lively Patrocinio who profited on 78 minutes. Nipping in at the back post to score from a cross from the excellent Samba.
Luke Day came on for Gonga as Thurnby comfortably played out the rest of the game to claim all three points.
Although sloppy at times Thurnby Nirvana ran out comfortable winners in the end leaving Desborough to rue missed opportunities. In particular Nirvana will take positives from their second clean sheet in three games as their defensive play has been a concern so far this season.

Man of the Match: A few contenders with strong performances from Mwanyongo and Samba in particular, however James Flinders in the Thurnby goal takes the accolade. Solid all Game and two fantastic saves when the game was at 1-0 proved the key moment in the contest.