The Lions fell to their first pre-season defeat at Nuneaton Borough with Ravi Shamsi netting both goals for the hosts, read more in our match report sponsored by BuildADrive.com.
In the three pre-season friendly fixtures so far a win, a draw and a defeat against lower ranked opposition makes for an inconsistent start to the preparations for the 20/21 season.
On a sunny afternoon at Liberty Way the visitors started the brightest with Trialist no 2 getting into the box down the right hand side but his low cross was cleared by the Nuneaton defence.
Shortly after Kaine Felix managed to get a shot off but it struck the side netting and it was this that led to the opening goal of the afternoon.
Tony Breedon cleared long to Shamsi who dinked it past the onrushing Hagie Damba for what was a clever finish from the striker as the ball nestled into the empty net.
This served as a warning notice to Russ O’Neill and Marcus Bignot’s side and they pushed on for an equaliser, Mark Howarth’s pacy corner found the head of Dan Cowan but his header was cleared off the line as it looked to be heading in.
Then The Lions looked to have found a way back into the game, George Cantrill was clipped on the edge of the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Gabriel Johnson stepped up to take the penalty but it was too close to Breedon and the keeper made the save comfortably.
The rest of the half continued to be dominated by the visitors but they couldn’t make the most of the play, shots from Felix and Matty Gillam were easily saved and the hosts went into the break with the lead.
The second half nearly got off to the worst possible start with Shamsi looking for a carbon copy second of his first strike of the afternoon, Breedon’s long clearance found the striker who put it past Damba but it struck the post and the rebound was put wide by the number 9.
After 64 minutes the Joint Managers rang the changes with Cantrill and Trialist no 9 being the only players remaining on the field with Nathan Newall, Will Thornton Declan Lambton and five trialists introduced.
Academy striker Adam Haw also joined the action for his debut appearance of pre-season and for the first team.
The new side brought plenty of energy to the game but struggled to break down Borough’s organised defence with chances at a premium.
Assistant Manager Paul Clayton was introduced for his first appearance of the season but it was Nuneaton who scored the second goal of the afternoon.
Shamsi was fouled in the area by one of the Trialists and stepped up to slam the resulting penalty into the top corner leaving Lambton with no chance of saving it.
The Lions have a chance to return to winning ways on Tuesday night with a trip to Mickleover’s Don Amott Arena next up before a visit to Yorkshire Amateur’s Bracken Edge on Thursday evening.
Team:
- Hagie Damba (64′ Lambton), 2. Trialist (64′ Trialist), 3. George Cantrill, 4. Mark Howarth (64′ Trialist), 5. Hamza Bencherif (C) (64′ Thornton (C)), 6. Dan Cowan (64′ Trialist), 7. Kaine Felix (64′ Trialist), 8. Prince Ekpolo (64′ Trialist), 9. Trialist (80′ Clayton), 10. Matty Gillam (64′ Haw) and 11. Gabriel Johnson (64′ Newall).
Subs:
12. Trialist, 13. Declan Lambton (GK), 14. Trialist, 15. Trialist, 16. Will Thornton, 17. Nathan Newall, 18. Trialist, 19. Adam Haw, 20. Trialist and 21. Paul Clayton.
