Reds Rip Rugby Apart

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Wednesday 13th October 2004

Birmingham Senior Cup Round One

WILLENHALL TOWN 3 vs RUGBY UNITED 1

 

With England playing earlier in the evening you would have been forgiven for thinking this match was delayed to allow the fans time to get from their TV’s to the Noose Lane ground. However, it was a piece of dog dirt, which delayed the game for ten minutes while a dustpan, and brush was found to remove the potential health hazard. Yes. It’s a crap job but someone has to do it.

Unlike their Southern Premier guests, the Reds don’t have the luxury of using a squad rotation system, and from the start it looked like it was the hosts who were from the higher step of non-league football.

Just 2 minutes from the off and McGhee went on a powering run before setting up Slater, the big defender blasting his effort just wide.

Six minutes later and again it was McGhee who was causing the problems, this time his cross found Myers who made no mistake in beating keeper Shepard.

With the Reds totally dominating the half it came as no surprise when they increased their lead on 22 minutes in spectacular style, McGhee wide on the wing, and from some 40 yards out curled the ball into the top far corner of the United goal.

Some excellent passing movements delighted the small crowd of 83, and one such move saw Edwards make it three on 37 minutes.

For the second half Tyrell and Jones replaced Creighton and Field, but with the game wrapped up, and with Town eyeing their big FA Cup game on Saturday against Coalville, the second half was never going to be as thrilling as the first.

On 54 minutes Edwards saw keeper Shepard brilliantly save his effort after a good build up.

With Rugby starting to have some possession they managed to grab a consolation goal on 70 minutes when Douglas slotted home from close range.

 

Reds line up; Vaughan, Slater, Whitcombe, Thomas, Creighton, Webb, McGhee, Jackson, Edwards, Myers, Field. Subs; Tyrell, Jones, Hay, Quilt, Chambers.