Sports' put in a very committed away performance against Nuneaton Town, a side that had earlier in the week scored 4 without reply against play off hopefuls Moulton FC. Both the players and management team were therefore braced for a tough afternoon in front of a crowd of more than 500, and credit to the team, as the game ended in a narrow defeat.

Whilst Easington had managed a very memorable victory against Nuneaton back in October, deserved winners on the night, this game on 3G, was going to be a very different affair with the table not lying at this stage in the season. Sharman had set his side up to be very compact whilst looking to hit the opposition on the counter attack and this plan worked for large spells in the match with the players showing great attitude and commitment in order to stay in the game. Nuneaton did control proceedings with slick passing and neat combinations, but unlike past away matches against strong Midlands opposition, this didn't turn out to be a goalfest for the home side which shows how far the Easington group of players have come.

Nuneaton took the lead early in the game, something that has happened to Sports on numerous occasions this season. A header at the back post after some clever movement gave the hosts the lead. This was a lead that didn't last two long, as Reuben Wade (see picture) brought Sports level from a cross that deceived everybody going straight into the net.

Sports worked hard to make the game difficult for the opposition, cutting out the spaces to prevent easy balls into the attacking players and this did limit the chances with Joe White having no shots of note to save in the first half.

Easington were unfortunate to concede the next goal of the game, White punched the ball away from a corner, but the ball hit the striker on the back of the head and he was first to react to tuck away the rebound.

This was a certainly a game that tested the resilience of the Easington back line and the concentration and work rate of the side as they continued a similar pattern of play in the second half. A late flurry of half chances for the home side meant that Sports had to ride their luck a little at the end of the game, but this was no more than what they deserved.

The young Easington side have in the past suffered heavy defeats on the road this season and so it it was great to see the side hang in there and a late chance from Luke Swan, might have completed a late smash and grab point on the road.

It is not games like this, that will decide the fate of Andy Sharman's men in the league this season. However, this was another battling performance that has shown that Sports can compete with the top sides in the league. After a late penalty denied Easington points in the last away game at Lutterworth, there are definitely encouraging signs to suggest they will be up for the fight in the second half of the campaign.

Not many games to go in 2025, but next up is Godmanchester Rovers at Addison Road on Saturday 20th December. It would be great to get a big crowd to support the boys in their last home game of 2025. Why not kick off the festive break with a game at Addison Road. |More updates to come later in the week.