Racing Club Warwick 3-1 Coventry Sphinx
Report by Martin Sutton.
Sphinx failed to arrest their recent run of defeats but it took two late goals for Warwick to get themselves in front and secure the points on Tuesday night. A number of changes were made to the Sphinx line up with Tom Cross resuming his duties in the Sphinx goal. Suspensions meant Callum Woodward and Charlie McConnachie had to sit this one out and they were replaced by Mark Albrighton and Max Howard. Randane Larmond was unfortunate to be left on the bench and he was replaced by debutant Lewis Chester who arrived from Bedworth United.
Warwick were quickest out of the traps and looked to put the Sphinx goal under immediate pressure. Sphinx weathered that and soon settled into the contest. Sphinx seemed happy to play a more direct style of football in their efforts to release Chester and Rawlings but it was mainly proving fruitless against a strong Warwick backline. Sphinx were defending soundly enough themselves and it was no surprise we went into half time still all square.
Sphinx looked to have more attacking intent in the second half which was highlighted by Patsun Tufan committing himself further forward from the Sphinx right back area. Sphinx opened the scoring just before the hour with a lovely ball from Rawlings slipped through to Lewis Chester who retained his composure to slot past the keeper. Perhaps the first significant opportunity for Sphinx and they made the most of it to take the lead. Warwick responded well and they were soon level and after that equaliser, Warwick looked the most likely to go and win. That’s exactly what they did with a goal on 78 minutes putting them in front for the first time in the match. Warwick were reasonably comfortable on their lead but they made sure of the points with a third goal in injury time.
After taking the lead, Sphinx will be disappointed not to get something from the game but their attention now turns to their next league fixture on Saturday which is at the Ryona Engineering Supplies Stadium against Haughmond.
COVENTRY SPHINX TEAM: CROSS, TUFAN, HOWARD, DRAPER, ALBRIGHTON, GUEST ©, KAY, BILLING (Christie 84 mins), RAWLINGS (Larmond 72 mins), CHESTER, NOON.
Unused Subs: Caputo, Kelly, Pearson

MAN OF THE MATCH: PATSUN TUFAN
Liam Kay drove the team in midfield and demonstrated his leadership skills as well as his flexibility. Youngsters Jamie Draper and Harvey Billing acquitted themselves well and debutant Lewis Chester impressed up front. My Man of the Match goes to Patsun Tufan who again displayed his defensive abilities but also added a real threat going forward down the Sphinx right.