City Reserves Open Liberty Way With A Draw

Last updated : 18 July 2007 By Kev Monks
NUNEATON BOROUGH 2-2 COVENTRY CITY RESERVES BY KEV MONKS

Team
Collett,Nenange,Robinson,Marmol,Koo Booth (Francis 63),M.Giovanni,P.Barrett (Richie 77),Hildreth (Gooding 46),Simpson(Simmonds 46),Andrews (Ashraf 71),Branco (Burtoft 63)
Nuneaton
Acton,Oddy,Frankin (Hood) 85,Curtis, N.Moore,Cowan,Towers,(Pritchard 65),Palmer (Nicholls 88),Ricketts,Qualley (T.Moore 76),M.Collins. (Armson 79) SNU Nicholls,Hall,

Referee S.Bratt  Att 2020
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Coventry City Reserves helped Nuneaton Borough to open their new home at Liberty Way tonight with a 2-2 draw.
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GROUND
The stadium in the Attleborough Industrial Estate is out of down town Nuneaton and like most new stadia,not situated with those on public transport in mind. Plenty of parking was available

The Liberty Way Stadium which Nuneaton share with the local rugby club, comprises of two covered terraces behind the goals with a temporary stand of a couple of hundred and a covered terrace down the other side.
What food and drink there was,was sold out before half time and there is only one kitchen in the place for hot food. No alcohol was available to visiting supporters.

There was riot police in the away end, the usual anti City rhetoric from some of the home fans and there was a disturbance a few streets away from the ground
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FIRST HALF
Reserve team boss Steve Ogrizovic fielded a team of trialists and U18 players. Stood behind the goal,we struggled to hear the tannoy so apologies for any names that I don't get right. But those selected to play included Papa Nenange,Lider Marmol,Nathan Koo Booth,Marcio.Giovanni,Paul Barrett and Alfredo Branco.
Wayne Andrews and Robbie Simpson started up front and it was the former Palace striker who crossed in the seventh minute for Alfredo Branco to volley from six yards and force  Darren Acton to acrobatically push over.

In the 13th minute,City were ahead when Lee Hildreth surged forward and found Brazilian Malmol who volleyed over Acton and into the net.

Nuneaton who fielded former Sky Blue Robert Oddy and former Coventry Sphinx wingers Jamie Towers spent most of the first half chasing shadows and were 2-0 down in the 33rd minute.

Robbie Simpson was the man on target when he got to a ball from Branco, chased it down before rounding Acton and firing into an empty net from eight yards.

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SECOND HALF
Andy Gooding and Donovan Simmonds were introduced at the break for Simpson and Hildreth.

City only had one keeper in Neil Collett and the Coventry born keeper was in good form. In the first half,he had saved well with his feet and in 54th minute he superbly pushed over a free kick.

Four minutes later,Collett was helpless as a ball from Collins was met by the right swinging leg of Koo Booth and it was 2-2 as the ball span into the net.

Thankfully, the calamitous Koo Booth was thankfully replaced in the 63rd minute as was Branco who did not look too bad.

Substitute Reis Ashraf had a chance late on as the game petered out into a draw.

FT NBAFC 2-2 CCFC
GOALS Marbor (13), Robbie Simpson (33), Gavin Gowan (44)Nathan Koo Booth (OG 58)

Man Of The Match - Neil Collett.