Racing Club are Ricoh-bound

Racing Club Warwick booked their place in the Coventry Charity Cup final on Tuesday night with a scrappy win over Coventry Alliance Premier Division side Stockton.

In a bright opening, Tyron Smith had an effort disallowed for a foul on Stockton keeper Gavin Campbell, while Racers’ Anthony Hall was in the right place to clear a Stockton free-kick off the line.

In the 23rd minute, Racing Club took the lead when Martin Crawford took advantage of a Campbell fumble to stroke the ball into an empty net.

Dave Hoppitt should have levelled on the half-hour mark, but his shot hit the stanchion.

Crawford fired wide from 20 yards and in first-half stoppage time, hit a shot which deflected on to the keeper’s right-hand post and away for a corner.

Campbell was forced off with an injury at the start of the second half and with no replacement keeper on the bench, Stockton were forced to put midfielder Luke Cole in goal

Stockton’s Craig Watkin hit the bar with a free-kick and Crawford flicked the ball wide at the other end, but chances were at a premium with play bogged down in midfield.

The Coventry Alliance side sent their makeshift keeper up for two late corners but Racing Club held on to book their place in the April 27 final.

Meanwhile, Racing Club will take a three-goal advantage into the second leg of their Les James Challenge Cup semi-final with Knowle after goals from Danny Charlton and Tyron Smith gave them a comprehensive victory at Robin’s Nest.