Rugby Town Reserves fell to defeat in a thrilling game at Stratford Town in the Midland Combination Minor Challenge Cup.

By RUGBYTOWNFC.COM

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Rugby Town Reserves travelled to the impressive DCS Stadium the home of Stratford Town Football Club, Rugby in confident mood after their debut 3-0 win away at Barwell last week.

Stratford started the game with 7 first team players in their starting line up , Rugby started brightly with Luke Leahy unlocking the Stratford defence with some exquisite passing releasing the powerful Tom Rawlings in behind the Stratford defence.

It was the persistence and presence of Rawlings which gave Rugby the lead, chasing a short back pass Tom sharply intercepted and rounded the keeper to walk the ball into the net after just 3 minutes.

Rugby competed well against the experienced Stratford side, Rugby looked dangerous on the counter attack through wide players McGinley and Dakouri, young American Jon Lee was excellent in the holding role in midfield and was the source of many waves of counter attack.

Rugby welcomed debuts to Innocent Tsoli and Danny Mullarkey in the Rugby defence a strong debut from Mullarkey at right back his first game in over 9 months.

The Rugby midfield trio of Jon Lee, Captain Glasscoe and Luke Leahy worked hard and created numerous chances on goal.

Rugby extended their lead in audacious fashion when striker Tom Rawlings picked up the ball on the left corner of the Stratford penalty area and instinctively wrapped his right foot around the back of his left making excellent contact the ball looped over a well positioned Stratford keeper into the far right corner of the net I urge any football fan to look closely at this goal, it is on our youtube channel strachanff and our website http://www.strachanfootballfoundation.co.uk/?p=735 an unbelievable goal the BEST I have ever witnessed in a live football match.

Stratford hit back after 25 minutes with a ball being given away cheaply in midfield leaving the Stratford to round veteran keeper Paul Shepherd to make the score 2-1.

Rugby again showed maturity in the latter part of the first half extending their lead to 3-1 through a sharp 3 man counter attack resulting Rawlings sending winger Adam McGinley through to clinically beat the Stratford with a soft bending right foot placed shot low into the right corner of the Stratford net.

Stratford showed great spirit and experience to find the net in the last kick of the first half giving Rugby a narrow half time lead.

One change at half time Ryan Coyle replacing the impressive Jon Lee in the Rugby midfield. Rugby again started brightly and created another number of chances but failed to convert, Stratford began an onslaught on attacks one after the other, we defended well and gave everything to the game dealing with everything Stratford could throw at the Rugby defence.

Rugby showed naivety at times and do have a lot to learn however they did not deserve what was served to them in the 93rd and 96th minutes of the game, defending the narrow 3-2 until the 93rd minutes when Stratford defender Andy Gregory popped up to equalise and then 3 minutes later then with the last kick of the game Stratford scored the winner to steal an unlikely looking Stratford win 4-3, a great game of football.

Manager Dan Elliott says "We conceded goals late in both halves which is something we will be working on this week in training this week, a real kick in the teeth to consist to late goals but we played very well scored 3 goals again and I witnessed the BEST goal I have ever seen in Tom Rawlings reverse right foot lob from 18 yards - you tube it, its a real gem."

Next week Rugby Town Reserves have their first home game against Brocton at Rugby Town, Butlin Road Ground, we would welcome any support, there is a small admission charge due to league regulations of £2 , it will be well worth a look as the first team haven't got a game, we would appreciate any support."