Butlin Road, home of Rugby Town based in Warwickshire and play their trade in Step 4 of the Non League Pyramid in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands. Nicknamed the “Valley” with the club previously being called “Valley Sports”.
So the original plan was to visit Hampshire for Gosport Borough vs Welling United in the FA Cup along with Stefan, but unfortunately Britain’s careless drivers have struck again and taken my wing mirror off my car… The garage says it will have one at 12:30pm… Let’s go for Plan B!
1:45pm and my car is fully repaired and Rugby Town in Warwickshire is 1 hour 15 minutes away. This will be close but let’s go for it! Another County down on the challenge after all this will be fabulous! So it’s onto the M1 and off at the A426 and into the ground just as kick off takes place. £10 to get in here! Ok then!
Kick Off! Thankfully it is 0-0 with no real quick starts and a fair bit of noise from the Rugby faithful behind the goal! 8 minutes in and Sphinx have a corner, in it comes… The header… OFF THE LINE! Out for another corner, in it comes again… Cleared by Rugby.
4 minutes later and Rugby have a corner now, in it comes… It comes for a Rugby man at the far post… OH! He’s missed it… Sphinx clear. Big chance!
32 minutes now and Rugby have a corner, it’s fallen nicely and the shot comes in… It’s deflected into the path of Luke English who pokes it goal wards… OFF THE LINE… Or was it? The linesman has flagged and it’s a goal!!! Rugby lead! 1-0!
3 minutes later and Rugby have a long throw in from the left, it’s headed on… And headed at goal… SAVED! Sphinx clear.
41st minute and Sphinx have a free kick on halfway, it’s launched into the box, headed at goal… Straight at the keeper and he claims it. At half time the score remains 1-0 to Rugby.
Second half, 46th minute and Rugby have a corner, in it comes… Headed at goal… Over!
5 minutes later and Rugby play down the right, it’s played across low and it falls for a Rugby man to shoot at the back post… OH! He’s put it over! Still 1-0.
62 minutes now and Sphinx get into the box on the left… The Sphinx man is hacked down there! Penalty! Can’t argue with that one! Callum Woodward steps up… WHAT A PENALTY!!! Right into the top bin… Uh-oh! The keeper has kicked out at a Sphinx man there and tempers are fraying… Red card! The Rugby keeper is off! It’s all happening! 1-1!
2 minutes later and Rugby play down the left… OH! He’s brought down and Sphinx’s Jack Downes has already been booked… It’s another red!! It’s 10 against 10 now!
78th minute and Sphinx with the long throw in from the right, it’s headed on and set up beautifully for Matty Shipman… WHAT A FINISH!!! Volleyed into the bottom corner! Sphinx deservedly in front! 1-2!
Rugby look dead on their feet and a shadow of what they were in the first half… Sphinx hold out for the win!
FT: Rugby Town 1-2 Coventry Sphinx
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 5/10 – The Rugby fans made it pretty good especially first half but nothing much in the second half.
- The Ground: 9/10 – Really good ground! Would fit in the National League North easily! Stands behind each goal and 2 stands at each sides! Really good!
- Expense: 10/10 – £10 to get in, £4 for a pin badge and £4 for a drink! Worth it!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – Enjoyed it and I’m glad to have visited despite the circumstances.
32/40