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- FA VASE: Full-time - Coventry Sphinx 1 (3) Worcester Raiders (1)
- Worcester Raiders first taste of the FA Vase ended in defeat as they fell to MFL Premier Division outfit Coventry Sphinx on penalties in the preliminary round.
- Raiders played most of the second half with 10 men following Dan Flowers red card but could have won the game with numerous chances going begging.
- Kyle Belmonte's first half strike was eventually cancelled out by Callum Woodward with just seven minutes of normal time remaining.
- Raiders outplayed Sphinx for the majority of the game and started well when substitute Belmonte struck on the 20th minute with a brilliant strike from 25 yards out.
- The lower ranked side continued to frustrate the hosts and looked dangerous on the counter.
- Seven minutes into the second-half a scuffle involving most of the players played out and referee took his time to make his decision before brandishing a red card to Flowers.
- Raiders weren't phased by this and had three golden chances to extend their lead.
- Sphinx 'keeper Tom Cross twice made incredible saves from both Jordan Stoddart and Kyonn Evans to keep it at 0-1.
- Then with just a few minutes of normal time remaining, Raiders were punished when Woodward's cross into the box drifted over Matt Gwynne in the Raiders goal.
- Both sides pressed for a winner and Sphinx thought they had got it in added time but the linesman's flag denied them and penalties would decide the outcome.
- Belmonte, Evans and Baldwin all saw their penalties saved as the hosts held their nerve to secure their place in the next round.
- Raiders performed well and were the better side for large parts and showed they can compete at a higher level.
- Their league campaign kicks off next weekend at Bridgnorth as they look to try and push for promotion.
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