Nuneaton Town began their 2026-27 season with a commanding 5-2 FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round victory away at Westfields on Saturday afternoon. The team fielded seven new signings in their competitive debuts, alongside just three returning players from last season's squad.
Town made an immediate impact, with new striker Terry Atem opening the scoring in the 10th minute after winning back possession and feeding Eesa Sawyers, who chipped the advancing keeper to make it 1-0. Bradley Stretton doubled the lead four minutes later when former Town defender Michael McGrath's pass back to his Westfields keeper was intercepted under pressure, leaving Stretton with a straightforward finish into an empty net.
Westfields pulled back two goals before half-time to level the match at 2-2. Dan Cottrill backheeled a volley in at the far post on 26 minutes, before James Baldwin tapped home at the back post on 33 minutes following a controversial decision when Sibanda was judged not to have fouled Luke Softley. The decision sparked protests from Nuneaton players, with Corey Currithers, Softley and Aaron Roberts all receiving yellow cards, followed by Russell Dodd at half-time.
Second-half turnaround
Nuneaton emerged with renewed intensity after the break. On 51 minutes, Stretton made a mazy run into the box and squared for Atem, whose effort went in off the post with the keeper stranded to restore Town's lead.
The match report indicates that James Armson, making his first competitive appearance for Nuneaton in over 11 years, featured in the side, though the final section of the report ends without detailing the remaining goals scored in the 3-11 minute second-half spell mentioned in the opening summary.
