Embarrassing Valley Crash Out

Sunday, 28th September 2003

Rugby United largely flattered to deceive as they were dumped out of the FA Cup by lowly Eastwood Town at Butlin Road...

FA Cup Second Qualifying Round

Saturday, 27th August 2003

Attendance 363

 

Rugby United	1	3	Eastwood Town
Millns og 18			Nahza 12 Fisher 57 Whitehead 69

 

Match Entertainment

 

Star Man | |

In front of the largest attendance of the season at Butlin Road and the BBC Midlands Today cameras, Rugby United were easily disposed of by Northern Counties League side Eastwood Town, whose three shots on target were enough to defeat their hosts.

Rugby did start brightly, and the whole crowd though that Robbie Beard had given the hosts the lead when he dribbled through the Eastwood defence, but his shot was dragged agonisingly wide.

Eastwood did not start the game brilliantly, and failed to string a pass together, but their confidence was given a massive boost, as striker Weal Nahza fired an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the top corner past the despairing Jason Pearcey.

Rugby managed to get on level terms six minutes later, when Beard again penetrated the visitors' defence and his cut back found the net via Gary Moran and Eastwood defender Matt Millns.

Aaron Shanahan chipped wide of the home goal after Justin Marsden's run at the end of a poor first half, and it was thought that the second half would provide Rugby with another chance to freshen up.

However, this never materialized, and Eastwood regained the lead again on 57 minutes, when some woeful defending by Rugby allowed Mark Fisher to rise unmarked at the back post to loop home a header from James Whitehead's deep cross.

Beard nearly leveled the scores with a scorching 20-yard drive, but Eastwood goalkeeper Danny Bryant came to the visitors' rescue with a fine tip over the bar.

More awful defending allowed Eastwood to seal the game on 69 minutes, when Adam Hart, who didn't have his usual solid game in any sense, allowed Nahza to turn him in the corner and deliver a cross which was half cleared to James Whitehead, who rattled the ball home.

Once more, Beard should have scored when Moran crossed into the box, but his diving header somehow went wide of the post and substitute Dave Pearson shot lamely into Bryant's hands as Rugby tried in vain to get back into the tie.

Rugby United | Pearcey, Moran, Williams, Hart, Herbert, Redgate, Hall, Dutton, Beard, Marsden, Shanahan (Pearson) Subs | Thomas (gk), Thompson, Squire, Commander

Goals | Own Goal

Bookings | Dutton, Herbert