Race push on despite defeat (From Free Press Series)

Race push on despite defeat

Cromwell Youth 3 Race First XI 2

Going into this fixture, Race had won four games on the trot in both league and cup, but in the game, Race were cruelly denied a share of the points - or even all three -on a heavy and badly-cut-up Hartridge field.

Race converted a penalty to make it 1-0, although the home 'keeper went unpunished for being last man.

Race held their lead for ten minutes, when Cromwell scored from an excellent shot via a free kick, giving the Race 'keeper no chance. It remained level at the break, even though Race had what would have been a goal disallowed for offside.

At that stage, it would have made it 2-0 and could have changed the course of the game.

Within ten minutes of the second half starting, the home team were awarded a dubious penalty, which they converted, despite Scott Jenkins getting an hand to it.

Then, after the Race defence failed to close down their opponents, Cromwell went 3-1 up.

Race pulled a goal back, however, through the returning Martin Bewick, whose excellent strike gave them hope.

David Jenkins went close from a quickly-taken free kick, trying to catch the home 'keeper unawares, but the goal failed to come.

There were, however, plenty of positives for Race to take into the new year, with, hopefully, the return of some injured players to strengthen the squad a bit more and give the coaching staff of Mark Williams and James Proudman a good selection headache.

Race Second XI now know their fixtures for January, starting with their last away game of the season, verses Panteg.

Second XI fixtures:

Saturday, January 7: Panteg AFC (away); Saturday, January 14: Govilon (home); Saturday, January 21: Llanarth (home); Saturday, January 28: Goytre (home).

All the above matches kick off at 2.15pm.

This week's fixtures: Saturday, January 7:

First XI: v Christchurch Hamdden (away) 2.15pm; Second XI: v Panteg AFC (away) 2.15pm.

All players to meet at club 12.15pm.