Joshua Sees Green Shoots as Valley Hold Boldmere

Manager Grant Joshua was encouraged by his side's response and performance as Rugby Town earned a hard-fought draw away at an in-form Boldmere St Michaels on Saturday.

The 0-0 draw at the Amber Arena arrested a run of three sucessive defeats for Joshua's men: "A point against a strong Boldmere side shouldn’t and won’t be taken for granted,” Joshua said.

"Ben [Roberts] has put together a very experienced group since October and they’re a good outfit. They’ve taken maximum points away at Rugby Borough and Coleshill Town in their last three games, so this was always going to be a tough test.

"It would have been criminal if we’d lost the game and perhaps Marcus Bald’s penalty save at the end was the bit of luck we needed."

Joshua was keen to highlight the work done behind the scenes over the past week: "The players have been brilliant, the staff have been brilliant, and the messages to the group have been very clear.

"Nobody wants to be where we are, but there’s only one way out and that’s to double down on the basics. We’ve done that, worked incredibly hard on the training pitch and put the players in a better frame of mind with clear instructions.”

Reflecting on the performance, Joshua felt Town were the stronger side for long periods. “We dominated and controlled the first 70 minutes. In the first half, with the ball, we were excellent compared to the Mickleover and Shepshed game and showed real authority. That allowed us to build confidence and get a foothold in the game.

"We didn’t create an abundance of chances and didn’t work Jonno [Brown] enough, but that was down to Boldmere’s setup as much as anything.”

Changes at the break helped Town apply more pressure: "In the second half we tweaked the shape to try and create more chances and I thought we did exactly that.

"We really turned the screw and have to score in that 15-minute spell. Kobi Biven’s chance from Nathan Kebeya’s cross was a great opportunity and it took a brilliant save to tip it over the bar.

"We had balls flashed across the six-yard box and it’s about that desire and anticipation. That will come as confidence grows.”

Joshua also spoke about the late penalty incident, which was dramatically saved by Marcus Bald.

“For me, it’s a foul on Josh [Thomas] first and foremost. You can't hold someone's shirt and arm and then fall over as the ball is going out of play.

" I couldn’t be happier for Marcus. He’s had a lot to deal with over the past month and that double save was outstanding. It should give him huge confidence.”

Despite feeling Town could have had a penalty at the other end moments later, Joshua remained positive. “We take the point and move on, but I’m really encouraged. We were aggressive without the ball, didn’t let Boldmere play out, and looked hungry and more confident in possession.

"It’s just about finding that cutting edge now. We have to take all of those fundamentals into Lichfield next week."