Students earn a deserved share of the spoils against league leaders Coleshill Town

LOUGHBOROUGH UNI FC 1 COLESHILL TOWN 1

LOUGHBOROUGH University FC held the much fancied Coleshill to a 1-1 draw at Holywell Park on Saturday and the Students could feel they might have done even better against a side who went into the game as leaders of the Midland League.

Especially when considering they had to play for over half an hour with ten men after Mitch Welch was sent off after receiving two yellow cards. In the dying seconds a Joe Boachie effort was cleared off the line but regardless, this was another good result for the much improved Scholars.

There was nothing to choose between the sides in the opening 15 minutes but then the West Midland outfit stepped up the gas and it took a great block from Uni central defender Joel Bonner to deny them a goal scoring opportunity. Bonner has been one of the ‘finds’ of the season for the Student side and he is certainly establishing himself as one of the kingpins of the Uni defence.

Soon afterwards ‘Uni keeper James Stallan pulled off an excellent save when he came out of his goal to deny Coleshill’s Leek the chance to put his side ahead.

As it was with just a minute left of the first half the Uni took the lead. A ball over the top of the Coleshill backline found the in-form Alec Read and it was from his well placed pass Toby Aromolaran put the Students in front.

The game was played at a good pace with both sides looking for goals and the Uni were standing firm whenever the table toppers attacked but the difficulty of the task was multiplied when Welch picked up his second yellow card and was sent off.

Even so the Uni still showed courage and some solidarity in defence but with eight minutes of normal time Jordan Nadat managed to get a toe on a shot from distant and help it into the corner of the net.

The Students didn’t let their heads drop and were denied a last gasp winner when the Boachie effort was cleared off the line.

The Student performances have come on in leaps and bounds since Alex Ackerley took control and on their day they look a match for anyone.

Another home game this Saturday sees Heanor Town as visitors to Holywell, kick off 3pm.