Cooper red is knockout blow for Racing Club

RACING CLUB WARWICK 0 BROCTON 4

Racing Club bowed out of the Les James Challege Cup after a second successive match turned on the sending off of Tom Cooper.

The hosts were trailing 1-0 when the centre-back received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

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The dismissal of Cooper, who saw red the previous Saturday at Littleton, forced both sides into changing their shapes and Brocton made the extra man count by adding three second-half goals.

Racers manager Tony Clarke again highlighted defensive naivety for a second successive heavy defeat, believing his side handed victory to Brocton on a plate.

“They’ve been together a while and their movement off the ball is good,” he said.

“But even though we were 1-0 down at half-time, there was little between the teams.

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“They’ve not actually created anything and their goals have come from defensive errors and a lack experience.”

Clarke is hoping to boost his side with a couple of signings ahead of tomorrow’s league trip to Brocton, with a proven finisher being high on the agenda.

And, despite his side not having tasted a league victory since September, Clarke said he was in it for the long haul.

“It’s going to be a long, hard season but there’s no way I’m walking away,” he said.

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“The players are not at a level where they can perform week in, week out.

“They can produce a good 20 minutes and we’re trying to get more out of the players we have.

“It’s certainly a good test of my coaching ability.”

Racing Club follow up tomorrow’s visit to Silkmore Lane with a Boxing Day derby against Southam. Kick-off is at 11.30am with the hosts expecting a bumper crowd.