Boro 2 Stratford Town 0

Nuneaton Boro got back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon after defeating Stratford Town at Liberty Way 2-0.

Both goals came in the second-half, with Joel Kettle and Callum Powell ensuring Boro remain in the play-off hunt. The victory now means Boro remain unbeaten at home since the opening weekend of the season.

One memorable moment of the game came when Boro goalkeeper Tony Breeden fired his penalty well over the goal and damaged a terrace light.

The first chance of the game fell for Stratford when Ravin Shamsi had his one-on-one effort parried wide by Breeden after only two minutes. Another chance came their way five minutes later, only for Mitchell Candlin to intercept Christopher Wreh.

Devon Kelly-Evans fired Boro’s first attempt over the bar before Shamsi struck directly into Breeden’s hands from a free-kick after Kairo Edwards-John was fouled just outside the penalty area.

Boro began to dominate the game, with Jack Byrne and James Clifton missing the target before Powell tried a curling effort that landed into Sam Lomax’s arms.

Candlin tested Lomax before the break with a tame left-footed strike before a Isiah Osbourne teasing cross nearly opened the scoring. However, fortunately for the visitors, there was no Boro player there to head in.

Candlin was presented another chance early into the second half, after Powell found the forward with a hanging cross. Alex Henshall and James Clifton both had chances themselves, but neither managed to hit the target.

The game’s main talking point came just after a hour when referee, Bradley Hall, awarded Nuneaton a penalty for handball. With regular spot-kick taker Luke Benbow on the bench, goalkeeper Breeden took responsibility. However, the number one fired his effort high, damaging the terrace lights in the process.

Despite missing a massive opportunity, Boro finally took the lead with another Joel Kettle goal. The goal came from a free-kick on the edge of the area with Henshall firing low at Lomax. The former Boro academy goalkeeper was unable to hold the winger’s fierce effort before Kettle tapped into an empty net.

Stratford struggled to make a impact in the second-half and didn’t test Breeden. After taking the lead, Nuneaton came close to doubling their lead when Ryan Edmunds volleyed just wide.

The second goal came in the closing minutes, when Powell’s cross struck Kai Woollard-Innocent’s hand for another Boro penalty. Powell took the penalty and scored to make it five goals in his last three games.

Boro face Coventry City next up in the Birmingham Senior Cup on Tuesday evening.

Boro: Breeden, Byrne, Clifton, Kettle, Hood, Osbourne, Powell, Henshall , J.Towers, Kelly-Evans, Candlin.
Subs: Benbow, T.Belford, Julien, Addison, Edmunds.

Stratford: Lomax, Vann, Woollard-Innocent, Richards, Rowley, Bower, Wilson, Nabay, Wreh, Shamsi, Edwards-John.
Subs: Campbell-Mhlope, Bennett, McFarlane, Ambris.

Attendance: 425