The Gingerbreads Crumble in Quarter Final Thriller at the Oval
The Oval witnessed a classic cup tie on Saturday as Nuneaton Town clawed back from the brink to beat the visitors in a match defined by grit and late drama. Grantham Town, famously nicknamed "The Gingerbreads" due to the town's long-standing history of gingerbread production dating back to the 1700s, certainly brought plenty of spice to the fixture.
Grantham controlled the early minutes, but keeper Brandon Bache kept the hosts level with two crucial saves inside the first 12 minutes. The Gingerbreads eventually broke through in the 20th minute after Roberts cut inside to fire home. The lead lasted only four minutes; Kyle Jardine pounced on a defensive error to smash home his 30th goal of the season, sending the sides into the break at 1-1.
30 goals and counting. Jardine puts Nuneaton Town level.
The second half stayed tight until the 67th minute when a Callum Carsley corner was flicked in by Jardine from a narrow angle.
Jardine gives Nuneaton Town the lead, scoring from a tight angle.
The Gingerbreads refused to snap, drawing level through a 75th-minute own goal before Lee Shaw looked to have won it for the visitors in the 93rd minute.
From behind the lens, the atmosphere at 2-3 was heavy. As a photographer, I’m always thinking about the story of the gallery. Editing and posting photos after a gut-wrenching late defeat is tough; I always want to convey the effort, but the motion and emotion feel a lot heavier when the result doesn’t go your way.
Then the 96th minute happened. Bache pushed forward for a free kick. He won the header. The ball was cleared. The ball dropped, and Aaron Williams smashed it home. Suddenly, the energy shifted, and I knew I had a completely different story to tell.
Nuneaton Town keeper, Brandon Bache, prepares to challenge for the ball.
Aaron Williams (10) races away to celebrate his last minute injury time equaliser.
The shootout went to sudden death. Bache produced two saves, including the deciding save from Jacklin to win it 7-6, capping a Man of the Match performance. Town now progress to a home semi-final against Coalville Town, who were one of Nuneaton Borough’s final opponents before they withdrew from the Southern League in January 2024.
Nuneaton Town keeper Brandon Bache saves Grantham’s first penalty.
Brandon Bache celebrates his penalty save.
Bache celebrates his cup tie heroics with Nuneaton Town supporters.
There’s something unmatched about the raw intensity of non-league football, where the distance between the pitch and the terraces disappears and every goal feels personal. This quarter-final thriller at The Oval was the perfect advert for non-league football. A display of motion, emotion, and impact that kept 417 fans on edge until the final save. Adding to the unique character of the day, the match was proudly sponsored by four-legged football fan, Mr. Clough, a Whiplington and dedicated Nuneaton Town supporter. It’s these community ties and unpredictable moments of drama that make non-league football a passion worth capturing.
Mr Cough before the match, looking hopeful for a Nuneaton Town win.
