Top side RC Warwick edge to win over LRFC
HINCKLEY’S Leicester Road FC were just edged out 0-1 at home by top-of-thetable Racing Club Warwick in a disappointing game of very few chances.
With two of the meanest defences in the league up against each other, it was always going to be a tight affair – and a poacher’s goal at the start of the second half was all that separated the two sides.
LRFC began brightly and new striker Jack Jeys (up against his former club) almost latched onto a decent through ball straight away, while minutes later Michael Tweed was just halted when about to pull the trigger, after a cute pass through from Nuno Gomes. RC Warwick won a free kick in a dangerous area on 10 mins, but the Road managed to clear and on 15 mins Road LRFC striker Matt Langham was also denied by an excellent slide tackle in the box when well placed to score.
Road skipper Callum Earls curled a free kick just wide from the edge of the box on 25 mins, while shortly after Gomes was denied by yet another timely interception from the alert Warwick defence – but the majority of the game was being played in the middle third with neither team able to properly dictate play.
RC Warwick had their first real chance on 42 mins with a wicked deflection causing Road keeper Will Highland to scramble across his line, plus just before half time LRFC right back Simon Alcott had a barnstorming run down his wing but he screwed his shot wide.
The second half began in a torrential downpour and on 47 mins, when a probing cross was fired in from the left that beat the home defenders, alert Warwick winger Bertie just got to it before Highland to poke home. LRFC responded well with a period of sustained pressure – young Ben Humphreys saw a fierce left foot drive swerve just wide and minutes later Tweed tried a cute back flick in the middle of the box, but it lacked power to properly trouble the Warwick keeper.
Highland had to be out bravely at the feet of Warwick midfielder Powell on 60 mins, but the Road broke instantly and Jeys was lining up the keeper before another last ditch tackle foiled him. Young Will Grocott replaced Humphreys on 70 mins and also acquitted himself well and on 81 mins he unleashed a powerful shot that was heading for the top corner before a Warwick head deflected it for a corner.
Langham stole in behind on 85 mins but was also thwarted and the Road had a flurry of corners as full time neared – one of which flashed right across the goal without any contact – but it wasn’t to be for an out-of-sorts Leicester Road. But they have an immediate chance to put it right with their next league fixture away to RC Warwick on Saturday 15th December, kick off 3pm.
Starting X1: Highland, Alcott, Earls ©, Jenno, Harrison, Charles, Humphreys, Tweed, Gomes, Jeys, Langham. Subs: Blewitt (GK), Grocott, Whitehouse, Green.