27/08/2026
Nuneaton Kings 1–3 Ridge Lane
Pre-Season Friendly
A much-anticipated fixture between old teammates and friends, this one had all the ingredients for a great game of football — and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
First Half
Both teams started with great intensity, with battles being fought all over the pitch. After around 10 minutes, the Kings looked the better of the two sides, with Ridge Lane struggling to find their rhythm.
The Kings created a couple of chances but couldn’t find the breakthrough, while Ridge Lane looked dangerous when breaking forward. However, the Kings’ strong defence dealt with everything that came their way.
The Kings continued to press aggressively, winning the ball high up the pitch and getting a shot away that was well blocked, resulting in a corner.
Reece stepped up and whipped a lovely ball into the box, finding Cristiano — and we all know what happens when Cristiano gets a chance from there!
CRISTIANO DOESN’T MISS! 💥
He rattled the back of the net to put the Kings 1–0 up.
With 15 minutes remaining in the half, the Kings were pushing hard for a second. Mohammed came close, but his effort went just wide.
Ridge Lane held their own until the break, with the Kings taking a deserved 1–0 lead into half time.
Second Half
Ridge Lane were forced into a change between the sticks after their goalkeeper picked up an injury. Little did the Kings know, the replacement goalkeeper would go on to have a huge impact on the game!
Whatever was said in the Ridge Lane dressing room at half time clearly worked, as they came flying out of the blocks. Their passing and movement improved, but once again the Kings’ defence stood strong.
Then, after around 15 minutes, Ridge Lane found their equaliser.
Crawford beat his man out wide before firing a low, hard cross into the box. The ball unfortunately struck the knee of a Kings defender and deflected into the back of the net.
1–1.
The Kings responded with Jaydon coming off the bench, and he made an instant impact. He fired a fine effort towards goal, but Ridge Lane’s young goalkeeper was equal to it.
The game opened up, with both teams playing some lovely football.
Then came the controversial moment.
Crawford once again found space out wide, cut inside and, seemingly inspired by Tom Daley, produced an Olympic-worthy dive inside the box to win a penalty! 😂
Crawford stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty into the bottom-left corner.
2–1 to Ridge Lane.
The Kings felt hard done by but showed true spirit and refused to give up. They continued to push forward and create chances, but nothing seemed capable of getting past Ridge Lane’s young shot-stopper, Kye Wood.
With 20 minutes remaining, Ridge Lane won a free kick on the edge of the Kings’ box.
Crawford stepped up…
AND WHAT A FINISH! 🚀
An outstanding strike into the top corner. No goalkeeper was stopping that one.
3–1 to Ridge Lane.
(The goal is already doing the rounds on social media! 👀)
The Kings never gave up and continued to test the Ridge Lane goalkeeper several more times, but Kye Wood denied them at every turn, producing a fantastic second-half performance and arguably an MOTM display between the sticks.
Full Time
Nuneaton Kings 1–3 Ridge Lane
A fantastic game of football played with great intensity, plenty of battles and some excellent football from both sides.
The result may not have gone the Kings’ way, but there were plenty of positives to take from the performance and the boys showed great character right until the final whistle.
Credit to both teams — a proper pre-season battle between two sides full of familiar faces and old friends.
💙💛 UP THE KINGS!
