|
Dr
Martens Western Division
Saturday,
23rd August 2003
Attendance
| 198
Yate
Town |
1 |
3 |
Rugby
United |
|
Metheringham 9 |
|
Shanahan 7
Beard
60
Dutton
82 |
Star
Man | Robbie Beard |
It
wasn't a particularly good day for any players,
especially in the first half, but Beardy managed
to assist the first goal and score with his only
effort. Has started the new season on fire. |
It
may have looked like an easy win against the probable
whipping boys of the Western Division, but this was
certainly not the case at Lodge Road as Yate put in
a stirring performance against their visitors.
Newly-promoted
Yate, who had lost their first two games at the hands
of Stourport and Cinderford, dominated the first half
and Rugby were lucky to be on level terms.
United
got off to a perfect start, Robbie Beard turned his
marker on the 18 yard line and crossed for Aaron
Shanahan, who was filling in for the injured Danny
Hall, to slot home from 6 yards for his first Rugby
United goal.
However,
the celebrations were short-lived as The Bluebells equalised
just two minutes later as Paul Metheringham found
space after Adam Hart's error and his low shot beat
United goalkeeper Jason Pearcey.
Rugby
failed to pick their game up after this goal and were
second best all over the park, as the hosts took advantage
of their wide pitch with long diagonal balls in the
heat.
On
36 minutes, Mike Wyatt missed a golden opportunity for
Yate but he blazed over from eight yards when he was
found unmarked in the box, and on the stroke of half-time
the home side should have scored again with Metheringham
squandering a free header.
After
riding their luck, Rugby came out in the second half
more lively and refreshed and regained the lead on sixty
minutes, when - as against Gloucester - Nathan Thompson
provided the cross for Robbie Beard, who took
a touch before burying the ball into the corner of the
net for his second of the season.
Justin
Marsden was proving a problem for the home defence once
more and one of his runs allowed room for midfielder
Craig Dutton to become United's sixth goalscorer
this season from the first three games when he rolled
the ball home to wrap the game up with just eight minutes
remaining.
Yate
failed to really trouble Jason Pearcey in the second
half, and it was Rugby who set the tempo. Marsden
was desperately unlucky not to open his account for
the season as his fantastic run was ended by a good
save by the goalkeeper.
Substitute
Dave Pearson carved a couple of openings on his first
appearance of the season and was unlucky not to make
more of them.
Aaron
Shanahan was sent off late on after picking up two yellow
cards - one for a foul and one for kicking the ball
away.
The
scoreline flattered Rugby, however this result is probably
the best so far considering the situation at half time.
They say it is the sign of a winning team to be able
to grind out results away from home even when not playing
well at all. Let's hope "they" are right!
Injury
News |
Neil
Melvin was stretchered off with what was thought to
be knee ligament damage, however, after further diagnosis
it is the less serious problem of bad soft tissue damage.
He will certainly be out of action for the Solihull
game on Monday and probably the FA Cup clash against
Kidsgrove, but will hope to be back after this for the
squad to face Bromsgrove.
Danny
Hall's dislocated shoulder will still keep him out for
the Solihull and Kidsgrove games. Like Melvin,
he may be looking to return to the squad for Bromsgrove.
Jermaine
Gordon may be rejoining the club for training after
a torrid year his knee injury. He injured it in
a pre-season friendly against Hitchin Town before the
2002/03 season in July and hasn't played since.
He is hoping to get the all clear to train again next
week.
Aaron
Shanahan's dismissal will mean he will miss one game
which is likely to be the Bromsgrove game.
Rugby
United | Pearcey, Moran, Thompson (Williams), Hart,
Herbert, Redgate, Shanahan, Dutton, Beard (Pearson),
Marsden, Melvin (Squire) Subs | Thomas (gk)
Goals
| Shanahan, Beard, Dutton
Bookings
| Shanahan
Sent
Off | Shanahan |
