RUGBY Town’s youth sides battled it out recently in the latest round of matches of the Spring Trophy.
The club’s under-nine Colts fought out a goal-less draw against the Tigers in the opening fixture of Group A, with both sides intent on making the perfect start to the tournament, considering the other two sides are from Tier 1.
Tigers pressed from the get-go, whilst the Colts’ game-plan to send the ball forward at the earliest opportunity was dealt with comfortably.
Colts were drawn into making a number of saves to keep out the Tigers, who edged the tie overall – but could not find the go-ahead goal, as the game ebbed out to a stalemate.
On match day two, Rugby Town Tigers knew a win was of vital importance against Christ The King Juniors in order to progress to the next round, and they did just that – running out 3-1 winners.
The visitors were a physical side and did well with their pressing game, but the defensive partnering of Alex Nixon, Arjan Nandhra and William Pfadenhaeur helped shut out CTK.
Substitute Reid Hobson, eventually named star player for the match, controlled the game and won the free-kick which brought the opener.
On the stroke of half-time, Finley Turner expertly dispatched the ball into the net to open the scoring.
The Tigers found a second, again from Turner, before the scores were brought back to 2-1 to lead to a nervy final few moments.
But thanks to excellent defending and goalkeeper Olly Brown staying alert for his side, they were able to put the game to bed when Lewis Fox scored the third – taking them into second.
Meanwhile, Rodney Chinomona scored the only goal for the Colts in a 4-1 loss to Coventry United – who top the group.
It means the Colts must beat CTK in the final game, and hope that the Tigers lose out to Coventry, in order to qualify for the next round.
Over in the U10’s Spring Trophy, Rugby Town Puma’s topped Group C with a 2-0 win over CTK Reds.
In a game hampered by the wind present throughout, the Puma’s were unable to settle into any sort of rhythm – which reduced the contest to a physical affair.
A game of few chances was suddenly brought into life by Alexander Duffy’s strike after Charley Burton’s through ball.
And although the second-half continued in similar lacklustre fashion, a free-kick from which Alex Wilson scored the second was enough to take the three points and edge the Puma’s closer to the knockout stages.
