Smith strike earns Racing Club their first win of the campaign

Jamie Smith is sent tumbling by Bolehall's Tom McNulty on Saturday, a challenge that earned the Swifts keeper a red card. Picture: Morris Troughton

Wade Malley, Jamie Smith and Martin Hutchcox all had good opportunities in the first five minutes before an Alex Price free-kick was well saved by the Studley stopper.

A glancing header from Malley went agonisingly wide before Hutchcox again threatened.

Just when it looked like Studley had weathered the storm, Smith broke down the right and put in a great cross to the far past where Malley broke the deadlock from close range.

Racing were dealt a blow when Ash Buswell was forced off with a knee injury and Studley took advantage to level through Dan Stokes.

Racers keeper Eddie Caviezel-Cox was called into action twice more before half-time but Smith eased the visitors’ nerves after the break by firing home from 20 yards.

Jake Brown, Smith, Tez Morton and Malley all had chances to wrap the game up and Racing Club’s profligacy was summed up in the final minute when, with the Studley keeper still in the visitors’ half after coming up for a corner, Smith raced free from the last man.

However, his effort was spectacularly chased down and cleared off the line.

On Saturday a Smith strike was not enough to earn Racers all three points at home to Bolehall, with Tom Starkey hitting back for the ten-man visitors in the final minute.

Racing Club entertain Cadbury Athletic tomorrow (3pm).

Racing Club Warwick went into the league opener in fine spirits after a good pre-season but struggled to keep to form when it mattered. Jamie Smith looked lively early on and raced down the right for his shot to be saved and Checketts had a powerful header turned round from a corner but it was Bolehall who had the clearest early chances. Kyle Turner raced through but dragged his shot wide before Yonwin hit the post from ten yards, almost having too much time to hit the target. Just as it looked like Bolehall would take first blood, Malley should of scored when he hesitated and allowed the keeper run down the left beating three men on his way, it was Bolehall always more likely to score. Racers stopper Caviezel-Cox produced a fine stop from a Goodby header and with the substitute keeper Obi coming up for a last minute corner to help rescue a point, Tom Starkey glanced a shot in from the corner to give Bolehall a deserved point in injury time. Racing go to Studley on Tuesaday night before entertaining Cadbury on Saturday.