AFC BINLEY MANAGER EDWIN GREAVES WRITES ABOUT HIS TEAM'S FOLESHILL CHARITY CUP ROUND 2 LOSS TO RUGBY FC...

"Rugby FC got the game underway and played with the confidence of a side top of their division. They dominated the game and were unlucky not to go in front in the 12th minute when they hit a post.


We had our best opportunity in the 23rd minute when a Travis Smallwood free-kick found Blake Kassar whose shot was superbly saved by the Rugby FC goalkeeper.
Rugby continued their dominance of the game and hit the woodwork twice more in the 33rd and 44th minutes.

Half-time: 0-0.

The 2nd half was a much closer affair with both sides having opportunities but neither side forcing the goalkeepers to make any saves.


This however changed when Rugby got their noses in front in the 78th minute: 0-1.


Rugby doubled their lead in the 85th minute when their number 12 had a long range shot which Ryan Oldham tipped onto the crossbar but the Rugby number 10 was the first to react and head the rebound into an empty net: 0-2.


Full-time: 0-2.

In summing up this game:

From the first whistle to the last Rugby FC were the better team and played the better football.

However, we hung on in the game, dug deep and for 77 minutes hung onto our dreams of another cup upset.
We rode our luck at times but I am happy with the performance of the lads today against a very good Rugby team, 2 divisions higher than us and top of their league.

I would like to wish Rugby FC all the best for the season and I really hope that they go on and win this cup.

As for us, we now have to lift ourselves after this defeat and move on to our next game.


Back to league action next week and away to Coventry Plumbing, a side that have already beaten us this season, so I hope I have learned enough to improve us from our previous meeting.

Before I go, I must mention the Reserve Team; they were also in Cup action, playing away to Stockton.


They managed an excellent  0-2 victory against the team top of our division, so well done to the lads..."

Edwin Greaves, 

AFC BINLEY.