Coleshill Fall Short in Final Home Game as Bedworth Triumph

Coleshill Town FC faced disappointment in their final home game of the season, succumbing to a determined Bedworth United side. Manager Grant Joshua offered candid reflections on a challenging afternoon for his team, acknowledging both the factors that contributed to the loss and his expectations for a strong response in their upcoming match against Lye Town.

Joshua's comments after the game were honest and introspective. "Bedworth caught us on a bad day today, physically and mentally the players weren’t at it," he remarked. He admitted that he had sensed a lack of intensity even during the pre-match warm-up. This, coupled with a relatively low-energy week for the squad, ultimately paved the way for a commanding performance from the visitors.

Bedworth capitalized on their strengths, with three of their goals originating from Muggleton's long throws—an area where Coleshill struggled to find an effective counter. Joshua acknowledged the effectiveness of Bedworth’s tactics, stating, "They battered us from the Muggleton long throw today. They punished us from it."

Despite a promising spell early in the second half, Coleshill's efforts to stage a comeback were thwarted by Bedworth's resilient goalkeeper, who produced a series of remarkable saves to maintain his side's advantage.

Coleshill found themselves trailing after a chaotic sequence in the penalty area led to their opposition snatching a scrappy opener. A crowded box erupted into frantic action as defenders and attackers battled for control, the ball ricocheting off the Coleshill defenders, before the ref deciding that the ball had crossed the line.  Coleshill regrouped and their efforts were rewarded when a rash challenge in the area handed them a lifeline. The referee's whistle signalled a penalty, and Ben Usher-Shipway stepped up to the spot, slotting the ball home to restore parity.

The absence of regular goalkeeper Ty posed additional challenges for Coleshill, with emergency stand-in Jack Richards stepping up late in the day. Despite his commendable effort, including a wonderful reaction save getting a good hand to a shot and deflecting the ball onto the bar, the unique threat posed by Muggleton’s throw-ins proved too much to handle overall.

Bedworth’s second was a long throw deep into the Coleshill box, and Benson rose to head it back across and towards the top corner of the goal.

The 3rd goal came from a poor clearance from Coleshill which fell to Bedworth’s Leo Stone who turned the Coleshill defence before slipping the ball to Monaghan to score his second.  Minutes later another long throw under the crossbar beat everyone except the keeper’s fingertips and fell under the bar for Bedworth’s 4th.

Reflecting on the broader context, Joshua recognized the emotional and physical toll of the season on his players. "With nothing on the game, I did think this performance and result was coming," he admitted. However, he emphasized that while the result was disappointing, it was understandable given the circumstances.

Looking ahead, Joshua was resolute in his expectations for the team's final match of the season against Lye Town. "I fully expect a reaction and personal pride to kick in," he said, urging his players to channel the frustration of this loss into a strong performance on Monday.
Joshua also took a moment to express his gratitude to the Coleshill supporters, committee members, and directors, whose unwavering support had been a constant throughout the season. "It hasn’t gone unnoticed, and I hope the team this season resembled what type of football team you expect at Coleshill," he stated.

As Coleshill prepares for their final challenge of the league season, the focus shifts to finishing on a high note and demonstrating the character and commitment that have defined their journey thus far. For now, the team will reflect on lessons learned and channel them into a performance that both players and supporters can be proud of.