Canaries fail to muster a single shot on target

SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL PREMIER RUSHALL OLYMPIC 2 BARWELL 0

BARWELL were well beaten in the West Midlands as Rushall Olympic claimed a convincing 2-0 win on a warm September afternoon.

Guy Hadland included two new signings in the starting line-up but Simeon Cobourne scored twice to help the home side to all three points.

It could have gone differently for Barwell had the referee shown more kindness and awarded the Canaries something when Ben Stephens was brought down on the edge of the area after only five minutes. The referee wasn’t feeling kind however; something that some away fans felt lasted the whole game.

The opening goal came after 12 minutes and started with a Barwell corner. The corner was played in to the Pics area and cleared. It landed outside the area with a home player who put it forward for Cobourne to run on to.

He outpaced Kyron Stabana and rounded Liam Castle to finish coolly. It was a real stinger for Barwell, particularly as Cobourne was a late change to the Rushall starting lineup.

Liam Castle made a good save not long after the goal and Callum Coyle had a shot blocked, as well as a shot that went over, as the home side started to gain control of the game. The best Barwell could manage was a cross from Stabana that brushed the top of Stephens’ head and a chance for Tristan Dunkley that hit the side netting.

The second goal came on 37 minutes when Cobourne snatched the ball away from Herve Pepe. He surged forward and slotted the ball calmly past Liam Castle for 2-0.

There was time for Rackeem Reid, on as a sub for the home team, to have a goal ruled out for offside before the half time whistle was blown.

Guy Hadland made two changes at half time as he sought to get Barwell back in to the game. Osebi Abadaki and Lucas Powell replaced Tristan Dunkley and Dom BrownHill.

The changes didn’t have the desired effect as Rushall had two early chances in this second period.

Whitall had a header go just wide from a long throw and the dangerous Cobourne, enjoying his afternoon immensely, shot just over.

The best chance of the half for Barwell came from Ben Stephens who collected the ball and managed to shoot just wide after turning well.

The home side continue to press and Simeon Cobourne was at it again when he hit the post with a smart effort on 65 minutes and a hat trick for the lively striker couldn’t be ruled out.

As the game entered the last quarter, Rushall were in control and played the ball around with confidence. Barwell were working hard but creating nothing up front to speak of.

New signing, William Edjenguele, made a good tackle in the box to prevent another Rushall chance and Castle made a good save from Thorley as the game edged to a close.

The full time whistle saw delight amongst the home fans and players but for Barwell it had been an afternoon to forget.

The Canaries, for all their endeavour, had not managed a shot on target and conceded twice.