|
Dr
Martens Western Division
Saturday,
6th December 2003
Attendance
| 271
Rugby
United |
3 |
2 |
Evesham
United |
|
Squire
38
Pearson
60
Beard
80
Commander
off 88 |
|
Jukes
pen 19
Pountney
41 |
Star
Man | Robbie Beard |
Scored
the important goal, as he has done over the last
three seasons for Rugby. Worked hard as
usual and entertained. |
Captain
Craig Herbert returned to the first eleven after a three
week absence through a back problem along with Robbie
Beard who served his one-match suspension. However,
midfielder Craig Dutton and Jason Pearcey were both
ruled out with thigh injuries - Michael Hegarty and
Dean Thomas took their places respectively.
Valley
raced out of the starting blocks and Jamie Williams
forged an opening inside the first minute, weaving in
the box, but Gary Moran's effort was well-blocked by
Evesham's Jay Powell.
Seconds
later, a clipped Aaron Shanahan pass found Justin Marsden
in acres of space, but as the striker ran into the box
on the angle, he failed to round keeper Tim Clarke.
Marsden did manage to eventually pull the ball back
for Michael Hegarty who could only managed to fire the
ball over the bar from 12 yards.
Evesham
began to creep into the game, and as Rugby kept failing
to score, it was becoming more inevitable that the visitors
would leave Valley ruing their missed chances.
This
was the case after 19 minutes, when Dean Thomas upended
makeshift Evesham forward Inderpaul Khela in the box
as he ran away from goal, and captain Nathan Jukes
never looked like missing from the ensuing penalty.
Valley
weathered a few worrying moments before forcing numerous
corners towards the end of the first half, and in the
38th minutes, a Jamie Williams flag-kick was met by
Rory Squire, who beat Clarke to the ball to glance
the ball home for his first ever senior goal.
It
seemed that Rugby would have an easier time in the second
half to win the game going in level at half time, but
a lack of concentration led to the home side conceding
their eleventh goal in five games. A serious lack
of concentration and communication allowed striker Craig
Pountney to nip behind Adam Hart and around Thomas
to slot home.
Rugby
were presented with a big uphill struggle in the second
period to get back into the game, and they needed to
get an equalizer as early as possible.
However,
it was Evesham who looked more likely to extend their
lead early in the second half, with Jukes looking to
double his own tally but dragging his shot wide.
It
took a substitution to bring Rugby into any kind of
life, Dave Pearson replaced the disappointing Aaron
Shanahan, and it was the substitute who brought Valley
back on level terms. Michael Hegarty orchestrated
from the middle of the park and his slide-rule pass
brought a chance for Dave Pearson to net his
second goal against Evesham this season on the hour
mark.
Rugby
rode their luck, as Evesham midfielder Grant Pinkney
really should have netted when he found himself free
at the far post, but his shot squirmed wide. Andy Hammett
also had a chance to nick a goal for the visitors but
he too could not find the target.
The
home side were spurred on by a lively crowd, and with
ten minutes remaining, they were sent into elation as
Valley grabbed the winner. Robbie Beard picked
the ball up on the half way line, before driving at
the Evesham defence to unleash a powerful drive from
25-yards which searched for the top corner and found
it in spectacular fashion.
Andy
Commander was dismissed for a second bookable offence
which made out for a nervous last couple of minutes,
as the referee seemed
intent on allowing ample stoppage time. But Rugby eventually
got the required result as Beard once again produced
the goods when it mattered.
Rugby
United | Thomas, Moran, Williams, Hart, Herbert,
Commander, Squire, Hegarty, Beard (Kattos), Marsden,
Shanahan (Pearson) Subs | Thompson, Saunders
Sent
Off | Commander |
