FOOTBALL: QUALIFICATION of next year’s FA Cup looks a real possibility for Racing Club Warwick after they beat Uttoxeter Town 2-1 to move up to fifth in the Midland League Division One.
Warwick went into the first of their final four league matches this season knowing a minimum of seven points was needed to qualify for the most famous cup competition in the world.
Despite their best season for years, recent indifferent form has seen that coveted place pushed a tad further away, and so a win at Uttoxeter was vital in the final push.
Warwick started brightly and on a near perfect pitch both teams played some good football early on, with Wade Malley firing just over from the left before just failing to meet a Martin Slevin corner at the near post.
Jake Brown did well to square the ball to Joe Ashworth who took the ball well before being clattered with two challenges, front and back, but no penalty was given.
Warwick captain Tom Reynolds made a welcome first start of the year and produced a vital slide tackle to prevent a Uttoxeter threat as the first half ended goalless.
At the beginning of the second half Warwick conceded when Luke Lewis fired home from close range and Uttoxeter were now on top.
Warwick needed to regroup and regroup they did. Malley again got into a good position but fired wildly over and Brown cleared the bar from ten yards after a corner was half cleared.
James Coleman came on for his debut and changed the dynamic of the team on the left with good forward running and determined defending.
It took until the 76th minute for the equaliser when Wright held up the ball out side and slipped in Brown who nutmegged the defender before delivering a fantastic finish across the keeper from a tight angle.
It was now a case of when Warwick got the winner and on 82 minutes Price played in Brown who danced through several defenders before unleashing a finish worthy of the entrance fee alone.
Next up for Warwick is a Bank Holiday Monday trip to Southam.
