Nuneaton Town 2 Darlington 1 (14.10.2017)

BORO ran out worthy 2-1 winners against Darlington with an impressive display at the LDJ Solicitors Stadium.
It was a positive start from Boro with our first raid causing problems as Joel Dielna picked out Jordan Nicholson whose inviting cross was cleared for a corner, which was scrambled clear by the visitors.
The opening goal arrived on seven minutes when Ashley Chambers latched onto a through-ball to stay calm and slot home.
A loose back-pass from Terry Galbraith presented Chambers with another good chance shortly afterwards but as he took the ball around the ‘keeper, Liam Marrs was on hand to block in front of goal.
The visitors failed to learn their lesson as Chambers got free again on 12 minutes but he failed to capitalise upon the opportunity this time.
Some intelligent play from Jordan Nicholson saw him present Daniel Nti with a great chance which the ‘keeper was able to block as it was Boro who were asking all of the questions in the opening 20 minutes.
There were a couple of opportunities in quick succession for the visitors as they looked to get into the game, the first of which from Josh Gillies skims the post.
After Harvey Saunders had an effort that lacked the necessary power to trouble Dean Lyness, Jordan Nicholson did the same at the other end as his strike was gathered comfortably by Adam Bartlett.
With 34 minutes on the clock, Niall Heaton went close from a corner as the ‘keeper managed to block his effort on the line.
As half-time approached, Billy Daniels dragged an effort wide following another purposeful raid which was spearheaded by Nicholson.
We went in at the break one goal to the good but it could, and should, have been more.
It didn’t take long after the restart for our second goal to arrive as Nicholson lashed home with his left foot from the edge of the area to give the ‘keeper no chance.
With our tails up, Henshall went close moments later as he cut inside from the right and sent a low effort inches wide of the target.
Some good play saw Chambers pick out the run of Nicholson and he in turn fed Nti who was off target before Henshall saw another low effort saved.
In between it all, Lyness got down well to thwart David Syers as the visitors searched for a response.
With around 15 minutes to go, Henshall was forced out of the action after picking up a knock as Greg Mills took his place. Then Brady Hickey replaced Nti as the clock ticked down.
There was a great reaction save from Lyness to keep out Josef Wheatley’s powerful strike before Mills was thwarted by a good block from Bartlett at the other end.
Right at the death, the visitors managed to pull a goal back when Syers’ strike was deflected into his own net by Mills but we were good value for the three points.