Cottesmore fight their way back to draw with high-flyers

Cottesmore Amateurs continued their turnaround in form with a draw against Leicestershire Senior League, Premier Division high-flyers Blaby and Whetstone Reserves on Saturday.

The Rutland side had to come from behind twice to earn a point before shutting up shop. In their last game two weeks ago they also had to come from behind to beat Earl Shilton 2-1.

Cottesmore boss Neil Miller said: “If you look at the league table they are a strong team. Their first team is a very strong team and their reserves are as well, they were third going into the game and have only had three defeats all season. So we threw the form book out the window and played quite well. It was probably a fair result.”

Miller said there were plenty of positives from the match. He said: “Our resilience was good, and we were patient. It wasn’t a smash and grab, we could have taken all three points.”

However he reiterated that patience was the key to getting something out of the game on Saturday, not going all gung ho and leaving themselves open at the back. Miller admitted that once they got on level terms they played for the draw but said that is not to be under-estimated.

“The top teams don’t lose games for a reason and if you can keeping pinching points from them you are suddenly 12-15 points better off at the end of the season.”

Blaby took the lead after 15 minutes when Darren Wheeler capitalised on a mix up in the Cottesmore defence score.

Rob Mason pulle Amateurs level after the break with curling a free-kick and Cottesmore went on the attack looking to take the lead. Andre Fontura created a couple of openings, working well in a little and large combination with 6ft 8in soldier Dave Rawden. Fontura’s pace caused problems and Rob Aldridge was a shade of paint from giving Amateurs the lead when his header crashed against the crossbar.

However it was Blaby who reclaimed the lead through Ryan Andrew Woolley but in the final ten minutes a Rob Mason free-kick was faintly diverted into the net by the deserving Fontura.

One spot of bad news, however, was a calf injury to Tom Seaton that will see him sit out the rest of the season.

Cottesmore travel to GNG this Saturday looking to keep their momentum going.

Miller said: “Four points from the last two games is pretty good but we are taking baby steps.

“Anywhere we go, whether we are playing home or away, top of bottom we always set out with the same intention, to get three points.”

Cottesmore Amateurs: Gary Shaw, Tom Seaton (Chris Shaw), Rob Grant, Craig McJanett, Callum Pawley (Danny Swinton), Luke Smith, Robbie Aldridge, Rob Mason, Dave Rawden, Andre Fontura.

Substitute unused: Neil Miller.