💔 Brave Colemen Fall Just Short in FA Trophy Thriller

There’s heartbreak at Pack Meadow tonight—but also pride. Coleshill Town may have bowed out of the FA Trophy, but they did so fighting until the final whistle in a pulsating 3–4 defeat to AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

From the off, it was clear AFC meant business. They carved out three early chances, testing Cameron Belford with sharp efforts that demanded strong hands and quick reactions. But Coleshill weathered the storm and struck first in style. On 16 minutes, Ben Usher-Shipway picked up the ball wide and shaped to cross—but instead unleashed a clever strike that caught the keeper off guard and nestled inside the near post. 1–0, and Pack Meadow erupted.

The lead lasted just over ten minutes. A corner to the back post struck McGurk’s arm as he rose to head clear—a harsh call, but the referee pointed to the spot. Andrade made no mistake. Then, just three minutes later, AFC broke down their left, whipped in a low cross, and Nketia slid in to poke home. Suddenly, Coleshill were behind.

Worse was to come on the stroke of half-time. A loose pass gifted AFC a two-on-one, and despite Belford getting fingertips to the shot, the ball ricocheted off the upright and into the net. 3–1 at the break, and the task ahead looked steep.

The second half began with another blow—Winters latched onto a slick through ball and finished coolly to make it 1–4. But credit to The Colemen: heads didn’t drop. Instead, they rallied.
On 63 minutes, a deflected Harry Sweeney strike fell kindly for Usher-Shipway, who lashed home a thunderous half-volley to make it 2–4. The belief returned. Coleshill pressed, harried, and pushed forward. Then came the lifeline: a long ball caused confusion between AFC’s keeper and defender, and Theo Rowe pounced, prodding the ball home to make it 3–4.
Pack Meadow was bouncing. The comeback was on. But time ran out.

Despite late pressure and a few half-chances, Coleshill couldn’t find the equaliser. The final whistle blew, and with it, our FA Trophy journey came to an end. But what a fight. What spirit. What heart.

Man of the Match: Ben Usher-Shipway – two goals, relentless energy, and a constant threat.
We go again next Saturday, away to Rugby Borough. Then it’s back home on Saturday 4th October for a big league clash against Mickleover. Let’s pack Pack Meadow and get behind the lads.
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