Joshua Proud Of Resolve In Last-Gasp Win

Rugby Town manager Grant Joshua praised his side’s resilience and quality in key moments after Saturday’s hard-earned victory over an in-form Racing Club Warwick at Butlin Road.

Reflecting on the 1-0 league win, Valley’s first for over a month, Joshua admitted his side didn’t hit their highest levels, but emphasised the importance of the result after a difficult fortnight:

“There was no hiding place for us on Saturday in front of another excellent crowd. Although we didn’t reach our levels, we looked solid and won it with a moment of real quality from a class act.

"We’ve beaten a very good, in-form, physical outfit in Racing Club. It was an even game that we’ve managed to win.”

Joshua said he was delighted for the squad after recent setbacks but insisted the group is progressing:

“The last couple of weeks have been difficult for them and that’s part of growing as a team—dealing with setbacks after a good run and still fighting, running and believing we’re a good side. I see what we produce in training and that’s where my confidence comes from.

"The aim, which I’ve communicated to the players, is transferring what we do in sessions into matches, and we saw parts of that process on Saturday.”

It was far from a classic, and the game looked destined for a draw, but Joshua was happy to take a win earned in the same manner other teams have taken results from Rugby this season:

“I’ve watched plenty of sides not deserve to beat us and still do it, so I’m certainly not complaining. We take maximum points and move on. I’m also really pleased for the supporters—they’ve stuck with us and I can feel their connection with the players.”

Joshua reserved special praise for his defenders and debutant centre-half Will Harris:

“We stood tall with the corners and long throws that came into our box. Will was excellent on debut, exactly what I expect from a top centre-half—big, dominant in the air and calm playing out. Marcus [Bald], Bleu [McNeil] and Geoff [Lundoloki] were all very good too.”

He also highlighted standout performances from Josh Thomas and Isaac Adegoke:

“JT probably had his best game of the season—he’s really stood up lately. Isaac was immense in the middle. We’ve missed that profile of player: combative, aggressive, energetic. He was a standout.”

But the defining moment came from Jack Concannon who surged forward from deep before producing a composed finish: “Conc will get the headlines and rightly so. I have so much faith and trust in Jack.

"He’s a class act and he’s nowhere near his level yet—probably 40% of what he’s capable of because he hasn’t had minutes at Stourbridge. But he’ll only get there with game time, and he has my trust ten-fold.”

“His goal couldn’t have fallen to a better player at that moment. He had a long way to run, the crowd got louder the closer he got, and he just got colder. A fantastic finish past a top goalkeeper.

"And credit to Geoff—the pass to put him in was a real moment of quality. A proper collective goal from back to front.”

Joshua says the win is more significant than just three points:

“It’s only three points, but what they represent going forward is huge. It should breed confidence. We’ll bounce into Carlton after a week off and hopefully get some bodies back from the treatment table to help us for the festive run-in.”