RACING CLUB WARWICK secured a third successive home win after Costelus Lautaru’s late volley saw the Racers edge out Lye Town 1-0 at Townsend Meadow.
Lautaru’s clever volley snatched all three points for the Racers on 83 minutes to ensure Warwick began the year in style.
The result means Warwick are now 15th in the Midland Football League Premier Division table as they look to steer clear of the relegation zone.
Following an important win against Highgate United just after Christmas, more than 300 supporters were hopeful of witnessing another Racers victory to kick-off 2022.
Both teams struggled to create chances throughout as Racing’s centre-back pairing Ricardo Dudley and Cal Templeton impressed to snuff out any Lye chances.
Chris Mayuba and Hannibal Salami had Racing’s only efforts of note in the first half, both from distance, with Charlie Jones pulling the strings for Warwick in midfield.
The game opened up in the second half as home goalkeeper Dan Crane saved Ben Billingham’s free-kick before Danny Murphy headed wide for Racing at the other end.
Warwick spurned a golden chance to take the lead when the impressive Jones fed Mayuba only for the Racing man to curl his effort narrowly over the crossbar.
The introduction of Miracle Okafor almost paid off immediately when he met Lautaru’s cross with his effort superbly charged down on the Lye six-yard box.
However, Racing would eventually break the deadlock when Lautaru volleyed home at the back post from Josh Steele’s deep cross after good work from Mayuba and Okafor.
Warwick are next in action away at Lichfield City on Saturday, January 8 with kick-off at 3pm at Brownsfield Park.
