LRFC battle it out for a point away at Studley
TABLE topping Leicester Road FC were held to a 0-0 draw by third placed Studley in Redditch, in what was a slightly scrappy game – full of effort and endeavour but with few clear cut chances.
On a very heavy and boggy pitch and with a swirling wind to contend with, skipper Danny Jenno marshalled his troops superbly from the front to limit the home team – while LRFC created the better openings second half and perhaps should have won it.
On 13 mins a long ball held up in the wind and it fell to Matty Langham and his goal bound shot was deflected just wide.
Studley flashed a dangerous cross across the LRFC goal line minutes later, but on 30 mins Langham evaded two defenders on the left wing and set up Nuno Gomes – but his effort on target was also blocked and cleared away.
On 38 mins a pinpoint Dom Brennan corner was met firmly by Road centre half Callum Earls but he powered his header just wide and the half ended all square and all to play for.
LRFC began the second period with a bit more intent and won a free kick just outside the box almost straight away. Simon Alcott struck it firmly and it needed a fingertip save from the Studley keeper to keep it out.
Alcott also tried his luck from 50 yards out soon after, spying the keeper well off his line, and although it drifted just wide it was a decent opportunistic effort. Then on 68 mins another Alcott free kick narrowly missed the far post with the keeper scrambling.
Studley were starting to boss possession a little, without carving out any real openings, but good counter attack work down the right by Road wing-back Jarred Acton on 75 mins set up a Jack Harrison pile driver that was well blocked and the Jordan Burrows follow up flew just inches wide.
Then on 82 mins Road keeper Will Highland earned his corn with a great save – as the Studley winger cut in from the right and let fly he seemed wrong footed, but got back across goal quickly and tipped it around the far post.
Into the last five minutes, a long range Alcott effort following a corner was only scrambled away and when Brennan curled a left footer towards the far corner it looked like a goal, but was somehow headed off the line.
Right on full time, the tireless Brennan’s pressure on the last defender and keeper forced an error, but as he pounced on the ball from a wide acute angle his connection on the shot wasn’t quite true enough and the relieved keeper managed to get back and smoother the ball and the game finished honours even.
LRFC Starting X1: Highland (GK,) Acton, Hohn, Jenno (C), Earls, Harrison, Alcott, Gomes, Burrows, Brennan, Langham. SUBS: Perkins, (GK), Beasley, Charles, Lyne, Munton.
Meanwhile, after their emphatic 9-0 semi final win over Friar Lane & Epworth, LRFC’s opponents have now been confirmed for the final of the Jelson Homes Leicestershire Senior Cup Final on Tuesday 7th April at Holmes Park in Whetstone, Leicester – the home of the Leicestershire & Rutland FA.
The Road will line up against Shepshed side Ingles FC, who play in East Midlands Counties Premier League and kick off is 7.30pm. All support from the Hinckley area welcome!