Equaliser proves elusive for Race (From Free Press Series)

Equaliser proves elusive for Race

A WIN in their penultimate fixture of the season would have seen Race still able to match last season's Division Two debut with a creditable seventh place finish.

But despite fielding an unchanged side on Saturday for the first time this season, Race started the game in a sloppy fashion and poor marking saw them two goals down in the opening 15 minutes as Lliswerry started at a frantic pace.

Showing a little more composure, Race started to apply pressure and had the ball in the back of the net on two occasions only to be denied by offside decisions. Eventually Robert Tovey slotted the ball passed the advancing keeper, following a terrific header by David Jenkins, with Tovey using his pace to beat the defence and make it 2-1. The half time whistle came at the wrong time for Race as their possession was starting to count.

But the second half started as the first ended with Race on the attack, but the hosts were guilty of missing great opportunities to draw level. Tireless work by Shaun Berry and Daynar Thorpe was supported by good defending by Clark, Jones, Williams and Murphy, with Lee Price contributing with a solid performance in the middle of the park.

Lliswerry feared they had conceded a penalty when Thorpe was cynically brought down, but he was adjudged to be outside the box. The Lliswerry coaching staff later admitted they had been lucky to escape with the win, but it evidently was not to be as Race failed to find the equaliser. Meanwhile, Race's under-16s side secured their divisional title on Saturday under the leadership of Kevin Williams and Dai Coslett.

The Club has now issued a rallying call for support tonight as the second team try to avoid finishing bottom of Gwent Central League Division One when they entertain Usk Town, kick off 6:15pm.