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Dr
Martens Western Division
Saturday,
1st May 2004
Attendance
| 107
Swindon
Supermarine |
0 |
0 |
Rugby
United |
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| Match
Entertainment |
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| Match
Summary |
It
was clear that neither side had much to play for |
With
promotion already sealed and only a prospective fourth
place depending on the Halesowen Town - Team Bath game,
Tony Dobson made more changes to his line up, with Dean
Thomas replacing an injured Jason Pearcey, Gary Redgate
making his first start since November for Adam Hart,
who was injured last week against Cirencester, and Kevin
Charley deputizing in attack in place of Justin Marsden.
The
game turned out to be the stereotypical last game of
the season match, with a pre-season feel as neither
side really had much to play for.
The
first half did provide some chances for both sides,
with the home side scrambling the ball off the line
after some Rugby pressure early on while at the other
end Chris Copp forced Dean Thomas into a decent save.
It
was a game where the final product was lacking and there
were several blocked shots and interceptions and it
was Supermarine defender Steve Davies who denied Robbie
Beard with an outstretched boot after fifteen minutes
after Gary Moran had nodded down Jamie Williams' cross.
Davies was then on hand from the rebound to deflect
Beard's follow-up over the bar.
John
Douglas, starting his second consecutive game, almost
punished Swindon full-back Sam Collier when he gave
the ball away in his own half, but the Rugby-born youngster
fired over the crossbar from an acute angle.
Forward
James Carter got a boot to the ball for the home side
to nearly keep Thomas napping, but fortunately for Rugby,
the ball rolled past the post.
Thomas
was in action minutes later as he reacted well to keep
out Simon Futcher's deflected free-kick while Beard
forced the first save of the game for Swindon keeper
Tom King.
The
second half did not live up to the ordinary standards
of the first, and chances were few and far between,
with Beard having the first, although he failed to genuinely
trouble King.
The
best chance of the game came ten minutes after the break
when Moran made good progress down the right-hand side
and cut the ball back for Williams, who failed to effectively
control the ball and then sliced the ball well wide.
Swindon
were looking dangerous on the counter-attack but on
an unusually wet last day of the season, attempted through-balls
were skidding through to respective goalkeepers for
both sides. Thomas was on hand to smother such
an occasion when Dave Toomey looked odds-on to get a
chance.
A
deliberate handball from Collier denied Douglas from
a clear sight of goal, while at the other end the referee
failed to notice a Craig Herbert handball as he was
hounded by two Supermarine forwards.
A
disappointing result, but now Rugby can look forward
to next season knowing that they will retain their current
squad, hopefully welcome back the long-term injuries
and add a couple of new faces to achieve success in
the new division.
Rugby
United | Pearcey, Moran, Williams, Rutherford, Herbert,
Redgate, Squire (Hegarty), Dutton, Beard, Douglas, Charley
Subs | Shepherd
(gk), Marsden, Commander
Bookings
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