GOALKEEPER Daniel Rushe was the hero for Earlswood Town after he saved a penalty late in the game to earn his side a point at home to Austrey Rangers in the Midland League Division Two.
Rushe produced the heroics as Earlswood draw 0-0 which now means they have gone five hours without finding the back off the net.
The visitors were first to attack but Earl’s defender Tom Keogh broke it up with a timely tackle before on four minutes Declan Staunton found himself clear when he latched on to a midfield pass but was flagged offside.
Rangers then went onto the offensive and Rushe had to pull off two smart saves one after the other to keep his goal intact
After 20 minutes the hosts enjoyed a good spell of attacking football and Richard Hopkins found the head of Jamie Corrigan whose header went inches wide before Matt Greens’ free kick was put behind for a corner.
After 31 minutes a glancing header from Jamie Corrigan just missed the Austrey post and towards the end of the half the visitors had a good spell of attacking, but Earlswood were adding to their own downfall as a lot of their passing was going astray.
In the second half it was the visitor’s keeper who was first into action cutting out a high centre and after 51 minutes he was beaten by a Declan Staunton shot which was deflected out for a corner.
Five minutes later Corrigan went round two players before seeing his effort go the wrong side of the Austrey post and at this point Earlswood were probably slightly on top.
On the hour Matt Green put over a good centre which the vising keeper did well to get his hands to and 18 minutes from time Austrey were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Earlswood penalty area which Rushe did well to save just inside the post.
Disaster struck in the 81st minute when an Austrey forward was pulled down in the home team penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot.
But Earl’s keeper Rushe got down well to the spot kick saving just inside the post to earn his side a deserved share of the spoils.
Earlswood are in league action this Saturday when they visit Paget Rangers.
