Coton Green U18s 2–3 Bedworth United U18s
The Greenbacks show their character once again! 💚
Tonight’s away trip to Coton Green saw the young Greenbacks take all three points in what can only be described as a scrappy, physical and frantic game of football.
It certainly wasn’t our best performance in terms of controlling the game or playing the football we know we’re capable of, but what this group showed tonight was something equally important — heart, desire, determination and a winning mentality.
The first half was very open, with very little football being played by either side. Coton Green struck first from a long throw into the Bedworth box. We failed to deal with the initial ball, it was flicked on and eventually tapped home to make it 1–0.
We tried to respond immediately, with a low driven ball into the box finding Hanley, who just couldn’t quite get the connection he wanted and narrowly missed the opportunity.
Coton then went up the other end and came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage, but their effort missed the target.
Bedworth had another opportunity in a frantic, end-to-end opening. Cross found himself with a chance, but his effort just rose over the crossbar.
The game continued in much the same fashion, with both teams struggling to gain any real control of possession. There were chances at both ends, but neither side managed to produce much in terms of real quality.
At half-time, we spoke about everything that was missing — calmness, control and, most importantly, a bit more individual quality.
If we’re being honest, we probably didn’t deliver much more of that in the second half!
But what we did deliver was heart, desire and determination.
And most importantly, the belief that we could still go and win the game.
Bedworth struck early in the second half.
Kiely had an effort towards goal blocked by the Coton keeper, who couldn’t hold onto the ball. Hanley stayed alive inside the box, reacted quickest and tapped home the loose ball to bring us level at 1–1.
We began to grow into the game, retaining possession a little better and starting to find more rhythm.
However, Coton Green hit back.
A diagonal ball was played towards their right side, where their player took a lovely touch before delivering back into the Bedworth box towards the back post. The ball was met with a header and suddenly we found ourselves behind again at 2–1.
But this group has developed a real positive mentality, and that was there for all to see tonight.
Endersby, who had been solid throughout the game, found himself on the edge of the Coton box as an effort was blocked. The ball rebounded out at waist height.
What happened next?
Pure determination. Pure venom.
Endersby connected brilliantly with the loose ball and absolutely smashed it past the Coton keeper.
2–2.
Back on level terms.
But we weren’t settling for a point.
The belief was still there that we could go and take all three.
And we did.
A long throw of our own caused absolute chaos inside the Coton box. The ball bounced and bobbled around before eventually finding its way outside the area.
It was clipped back into the box, and Stokes rose highest to meet it.
His header looped towards goal, with the Coton keeper desperately clawing at the ball in the air — but he couldn’t keep it out.
OVER THE LINE.
Coton Green 2–3 Bedworth United.
The Greenbacks had completed the comeback.
Coton came on strongly during the final few minutes and caused a scramble inside our box, but a determined Bedworth side — including a brave and committed performance from our keeper — stood firm to keep the ball out.
Three points secured.
Was it pretty? Absolutely not.
Was it controlled? Not really.
Was it our best football? Definitely not.
But did this group show grit, togetherness, desire, belief and a winning mentality?
Absolutely.
We said it after the last game, and we’ll say it again tonight — the togetherness within this group is contagious.
We’re really pleased with the boys tonight. They found a way to win when the football wasn’t always there, and sometimes those are the results that tell you the most about a team.
Coton Green U18s 2–3 Bedworth United U18s
⚽ Hanley
⚽ Endersby
⚽ Stokes
Three points. Another comeback. Another display of character. 💚
Next up, we welcome Rugby Borough to The Oval next week.
Come on, Greenbacks! 💚🤍
