RMFC

RM’s battling qualities were highlighted in this match, playing against a strong wind and finding themselves 4-0 down, they came back into it before falling to defeat. The toss was a big deciding factor, the wind was so strong whoever won would play with it first, and RM lost it. Paul Soper again took over between the sticks, with Alex Bird also returning in midfield in an otherwise unchanged line-up. Eagles took the lead when Soper spilled the ball from a shot and following a scramble the ball was eventually drilled home, and it was soon two after a flick on halfway sent a forward clean through and gave Soper no chance. Despite this, RM were still well in it at this point as they fought hard to try and play the ball but then a headed flick from the Eagles keeper’s clearance caught the wind and sailed over Soper from fully 40 yards. And RM could have been forgiven for giving up minutes later when a ball played in behind their defence was smashed home to put them 4-0 down. But RM kept playing well, and got a reward when Chris Coppock was bundled over in the box for a penalty. Alex Bird stepped up and saw his weak shot saved, but he followed up to score the rebound and give RM slight hope. Nathan Brown then saw his drive deflected wide before Stu Coppock was hacked down in the box right on half time, Bird this time smashing home at the first attempt to make it 4-2 at the break.

An eventual first half was matched in the second period, the wind had died off slightly but RM dominated anyway, seeing plenty of the ball in the opposition box. They had to wait a while, but eventually got back to 4-3 after Stu Coppock drove into the right hand side of the box and pulled the ball back to Bird, whose mis-hit shot found its way fortunately to Chris Coppock who gratefully smashed home from close range. But as alluded to last week, RM have a penchant for conceding spot kicks this season and did so again, Andy Warmington the culprit this time and although Soper got a hand to it he couldn’t keep it out. Back came RM again, and pulled another back with a fortuitous goal when Neil Hillier’s inswinging corner evaded everyone, with maybe a flick off a defender’s head, to fly into the top corner for 5-4. Minutes left, and Brown’s low drive flashed inches wide with Stu Coppock agonisingly close to touching it in, in what proved to be last chance leaving RM to come up just short.

More frustration for RM, who will look at this as points dropped. The league table is bunching up, and RM will consider games like these as missed opportunities to make a mark this season.