Somel And Atem Star in Second Half Show to Secure Three Points - Match Report: Shepshed 1 NTFC 2

Nuneaton Town secured their third league victory of the season with a hard-fought 2-1 away win at Shepshed Dynamo in the Northern Premier League Midlands on Saturday. An attendance of 451 saw the visitors claim all three points at the Dovecote Stadium.

Managers Russ and Acco made one change to the starting eleven, with Liam Murphy returning after James Armson departed the club earlier in the week. The first half proved difficult for both sides, with wind making sustained attacking play problematic. Clear chances were rare, though Shepshed had the game's first opportunity in the 29th minute when Bajrami was forced into action to block at his post. Nuneaton's James Harrison beat the keeper but Stretton could not adjust on the turn to finish, and the teams went in level at half-time.

Second Half Breakthrough

Nuneaton started the second half with greater intent. Josh Green's free kick struck the wall in the early stages, with the rebound falling to Caine Elliot, whose effort was saved by Williams in the Shepshed goal.

The game shifted decisively in Nuneaton's favour in the 68th minute when Reece Massey was sent off for a dangerous two-footed challenge on Josh Green. Playing with a one-man advantage, Nuneaton made changes to press home their superiority, introducing Charlie Jones for James Harrison and Terry Atem for Liam Murphy.

The breakthrough came in the 76th minute. A Josh Green long throw caused chaos in the Shepshed box, and Declan Somel was first to react, slotting the ball under the keeper to give Nuneaton the lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Drama in Added Time

With Nuneaton looking to secure the win, drama unfolded in the closing stages. Stretton was brought down in the area, and Atem stepped up to take the penalty but blasted his effort over the crossbar. Moments later, Atem chased down a loose ball, rounded the keeper, and tapped into an empty net to make it 2-0 and send the travelling support into celebration.

Shepshed grabbed a consolation goal through Taylor Wise straight from the restart, but Nuneaton held on to secure the victory. Declan Somel was named man of the match.