LEICESTER UNITED 0 NUNEATON BOROUGH 3
LEICESTER UNITED 0 NUNEATON
LEICESTER UNITED 0 NUNEATON BOROUGH 3 DETERMINED Borough extended their unbeaten run to 21 matches last night when cruising to an impressive victory over Leicester United at Winchester Road in the Barclays Commercial Services Cup second round.
IAN Cottrill got George Rooney's men off to a flying start with a goal inside two minutes as Boro' continued where they left off at Kings Lynn last Saturday.
The stunning opener came from a Brian Mofgford corner which eluded top goal scorer Paul Culpin for COTTRILL to stab the ball home from 10 yards. It was the midfielder's second goal this season against United, his 90th minute effort in September setting Boro off on their current FA Cup run. Boro, without injured skipper Dave Whetton, looked to hold on to their unbeaten record this season and did not allow United to settle. The bitter cold had barely returned to numb the travelling band of Boro supporters when they were warmed by the Blues' second goal. A 13th minute cross from the left was headed on by Cottrill to ROSEGREEN who buried the ball in the net with a spectacular 'bicycle' kick from six yards. With the two-goal edge Boro's grip on the game increased and John Symonds in particular was in superb form, ripping through United on the left and linking well with Kevan Kane. Leicester had a chance to cut the deficit on the half hour from a header by midfielder David Tonge but Boro held firm and quickly broke back. With eight minutes to go to the half Cottrill had a chance to put Boro further ahead when a Symonds cross was knocked on by Culpin but the final touch wasn't strong enough to beat 'keeper Ian Marsden. Dangerman Mark Rosegreen needed treatment with seconds to go when he was chopped down by United's number five Chris Tonge who earned himself a booking for his troubles. Tony Simpson came on for Darren Bullock in the second half giving Boro extra width on the right. United started to put some nice moves together as the half wore on giving Boro some anxious moments at the back, Matt Tarry being involved in the thick of the action and getting in a telling through ball to Symonds on 67 minutes. Symonds's cross was picked up by Rosegreen whose shot from the edge of the box was scrambled away. A moment close a minute later as United pressed forward and it looked as though Boro would cave under the barrage, Alan Liquorish was unlucky with a close-range header that flew straight to 'keeper Peter Manuel. With two minutes to go Peter GREEN, replacing Rosegreen, put the seal on a fine night's work by the visitors, striking home the rebound after Culpin's acute-angled drive had struck the inside of the post.