Main Menu

Fifths fight hard, but have to accept defeat

Rugby & East Warwick 6th XI 2  Coalville Town 5th XI 0

Bodykraft Central League South East Division Two

Coalville's youthful fifth string put in a gutsy and disciplined performance against title-chasing Rugby & East Warwick sixths - and they were a little unlucky to come away with nothing.

Playing against a side consisting solely of seasoned players, Town's youngsters battled hard from the off, causing a much more experienced plenty of problems. Russell Hallam and Jack Harcourt in the centre of midfield were combining well, while Adam Whitehall was having an assured game at the back.

The exuberance of skipper James Unwin was often rubbing off on the youngsters around him, and Sam Edwards soon went on a promising run which brought some desperate defending out of the Rugby defence.

Adam Johnson, making his debut in the Town goal after transferring from Leicester Westleigh, was soon called on to make a couple of good saves as Rugby began to craft openings.

With around 10 minutes of the half left, Rugby finally found a way through to take the lead, but Coalville continued to battle through to the interval. The second half saw much of the same, and Coalville soon won a couple of penalty corners but couldn't find a cutting edge.

Then they won another penalty corner, but this again broke down. Rugby countered, and with Town shorthanded at the back, they used the numerical advantage to leave Johnson exposed and to make it 2-0.

But Coalville continued to stick to their task, and despite losing 2-0 they all came off with their heads held high after putting in a solid showing against a side seemingly destined for promotion.