Colemen Punished by Clinical Rugby Borough
Coleshill Town 1-3 Rugby Borough
Coleshill Town suffered defeat as Rugby Borough capitalised on key moments to leave Pack Meadow with all three points despite a spirited performance from the Colemen.
The game could hardly have started in more dramatic fashion. Just six minutes were on the clock when Bassit found space inside the area and met a corner with a thunderous header. The effort looked destined for the net, only for the crossbar to come to Rugby's rescue before the ball rebounded away to safety.
The visitors made the most of that let-off almost immediately. Breaking quickly from the resulting play, Rugby worked the ball forward before a dangerous pass over the top released Tyrell Waite, who kept his composure to slot beyond Cam Belford and hand the visitors the lead on eight minutes.
It was a lively opening and both sides continued to create opportunities throughout the remainder of the first half. Chances came and went at both ends, but the goalkeepers stood firm to ensure Rugby took their slender advantage into the interval.
The second half began with Coleshill searching for a route back into the contest and they came within inches of finding it. Will Marshall appeared to have beaten the goalkeeper, only for a recovering defender to get the slightest touch and divert the ball away, with strong appeals from the home side that it may have crossed the line before being cleared.
Instead of an equaliser, it was Rugby who struck again. Eleven minutes after the restart, the visitors found space behind the Coleshill back line and a low cross into the penalty area was turned home by Joe Pursey to double their advantage.
Things became even more difficult for the Colemen just two minutes later. A challenge involving Callum Witts and Tyrell Waite on the edge of the area saw Rugby emerge with possession, but the referee brought play back and pointed to the spot. Gary Stohrer saw his initial penalty saved, but reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home to make it 3-0.
With a three-goal cushion Rugby were able to manage the game, but Coleshill refused to let their heads drop and continued to push forward in search of a way back.
Their reward arrived on 73 minutes. Callum Coyle delivered an excellent cross into the area and Tristan Dunckley rose to meet it, looping a header over the goalkeeper and into the net to reduce the deficit.
The goal lifted the home side and they continued to battle until the final whistle, but Rugby's earlier clinical finishing proved decisive as the visitors secured a 3-1 victory.
Despite the scoreline, manager Harry was philosophical afterwards, believing his side had competed well throughout and feeling there were enough chances created for Coleshill to have taken far more from the contest, with at least a point not beyond their reach on another day.
Attention now quickly turns to Tuesday night's trip to Mickleover, before the Colemen return to Pack Meadow next Saturday when Bourne Town are the visitors.
