Men's 1st XI Vs Rugby & EW 1

Telford faced an away trip to Rugby on Saturday, missing the experienced defensive duo of Bailey and Richardson. With the previous fixture ending 5 a piece, goals were expected. 

Telford started the game the stronger of the teams, forcing Rugby into a number of errors in possession, and allowing them to counter strongly. However, it was Rugby who opened the scoring against the run of play, when a strong baseline run ended with the ball being played on the 45 to a free man who calmly slotted the ball home. Their lead only lasted a matter of minutes though, when a Telford penalty corner was poorly cleared, allowing Dave Tracey to pop up and force the rebound over the line. Telford kept the pressure up, not allowing space behind their lines, with this finally telling when  dynamic midfielder Sam Pratt broke into the right D, weighted up his options, before finally slotting the ball past the keeper. This have Telford a well deserved 2-1 lead going in at half time.

Telford knew that although they had the better of the half that there was still room for improvement. Getting out of the blocks early was going to be important, with the first 10 minutes vital. Unfortunately, it was Rugby who started the half strongly, pressing Telford, making it hard for them to get forwards and forcing sloppy errors. Telford defended hard, with Cal Stacey making a number of vital challenges and youngster Will Gough doing a good stint filling in at full back. Yet this couldn't continue, and when a loose pass was intercepted by Rugby, they showed good composure to finish off a 2v1. With everything still to play Telford battled bravely, but were unable to cut out their errors, eventually leading to them conceding a PC. Despite a duff injection, Rugby were able to get the ball to the left of the D, before firing the ball across for it to be well deflected into the net, taking a 3-2 lead. Telford did have a late chance to level the score, but their drag flick was saved by the keeper.

After the game Telford were left to rue what could have been, having had the game by the scruff of the neck at half time. With safety not yet secured an important 6 games of the season remain.