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2 December 2006

Unlikely hero as seconds keep on winning

Coalville Town 2nd XI  1 Nuneaton 2nd XI  0

DTZ 2nd XI East Midlands Division One

A rare goal by Steve Partner was enough for Coalville to keep up their DTZ East Midlands Division One promotion push and beat fourth-placed Nuneaton.

Town attacked from the start but found themselves up against an equally determined Nuneaton side who gained control in the opening five minutes without ever really threatening Joel Barker's goal.

Tony Crowie and Stuart Jobburn eventually wrestled the initiative off Nuneaton, and with Phil Sign on the right Town began to apply pressure on the Nuneaton goal. But it took until the 15th minute for Coalville to make the telling break through.

Jobburn and Crowie again combined well to play the ball to Sam Crowie. He beat two players and surged towards defensive line before playing a superb through pass which Partner took in his stride and fired home a great shot to give Town the lead.

Five minutes later Town nearly doubled their lead. Great play from Sign allowed Andy Whitby to fire in a cross that found Sam Crowie. His snapshot beat the Nuneaton keeper all ends up, but cannoned back off the crossbar.

Although Town were in control, the visitors still possessed enough to cause Coalville concern. Carl Marshall and Ian Wright stood firm at the centre of defence, though, and Glen Marston was able to rampage forward down the right.

Town then lost skipper Tony Crowie with an injured arm, and this led to a few moments of panic defensively. Marshall stood firm though, making three excellent interventions to ensure the visitors left King Edward VII College with nothing.

Town face another tough test on Saturday when they visit third-placed Boots in Nottingham, needing a win to keep the momentum going.