RUGBY Borough opened up a four-point advantage at the top of the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division with a 3-0 victory over mid-table Hathern.
Title rivals Saffron Dynamo won by the same margin against Friar Lane & Epworth, but it is very much in Rugby’s hands to clinch a second title in two years.
Josh Turton, Michael Ellis and Ben Nicholson were the three changes to the side, and it was Turton who almost opened the scoring when forcing the keeper into an early save.
The Hathern shot-stopper then kept out Tommy Glascoe’s snap-shot at full-stretch, whilst Ollie Chater and Nicholson were also denied by the in-form keeper.
Borough almost fell behind when Hathern failed to hit the target from a corner on 20 minutes, which summed up a hit-and-miss half from both sides.
Aiden Print’s introduction on the hour mark was the key turning point.
His run into space set up a crossing opportunity, which was duly put away by the leaping Ellis who powered home the opener with his head.
The substitute continued to cause problems for the opposition, beating two players and centring for Chater to flash a header wide, before whipping in a corner for Glasscoe to turn an effort wide.
On 84 minutes, the game was safe when Harley Matarutse started and finished a move from the left to give Rugby a two-goal cushion.
Hathern had to over-commit to bring themselves back into the game, and they were punished four minutes later as Luke Pritchard poked the ball home after great work from fellow substitute Print.
Borough welcome 12th-placed Allexton & New Parks to Kilsby Lane this Saturday (3pm), a side they thrashed 5-1 last time out.
Tickets are just £3 for adults, and £1 for concessions for the fixture.
