lineup

Robert Beckwith

Gary Moran

Jamie Williams

Adam Hart

Craig Herbert

Gary Redgate

Danny Hall

Craig Dutton

Robbie Beard

Justin Marsden

Rory Squire

subs used

Jon Douglas

Nick Matthews

Dave Pearson

A second half goal from Jamie Williams ended Rugby United's run of seven Premier Division games without a win and eased their relegation worries. 

On the day the margin of victory could have been greater. But, with vital games coming up it was more important to see a Valley side rediscovering the fighting spirit largely absent from recent performances. United Manager Tony Dobson said: "Robbie Beard was back today after six games out with injury. His presence makes a massive difference to us on the pitch and in the dressing room. I think that showed through today. We were solid in defence and won a lot of tackles in mid-field. It was nice to come off the pitch praising all the players rather than pointing out their mistakes. It was a fantastic result, but the win was a long time coming." 

Both sides struggled to make any impression on a hard pitch until the 40th minute when Yeltz striker Lewis Baker somehow missed the target with a header from a Dave Haywood corner. For the visitors Rory Squire helped the ball on to Justin Marsden who turned to drag a disappointing shot wide from 18 yards when a pass to the unmarked Beard was another and probably better option. Squire hit the bar with a far post header from a Williams free kick. And, just before the break Marsden, released by Beard, hesitated at the vital moment and was crowded out. 

Early in the second half Craig Dutton tested Halesowen goalkeeper Chris Taylor with a firmly struck drive. The Rugby defence then watched as a header from Baker rolled across the face of goal and out of play beyond the far post. 

Beard nearly found the top corner of the net after creating himself some space with a darting run, before a 67th minute cross from the right came out to Williams who lashed home a rising shot via the underside of the crossbar. The same player could have grabbed another three minutes later to finish off a neat move down the left, but angled straight at Taylor. 

With time running out the hard working United defence restricted Halesowen to efforts from distance as they tried to salvage something from the game. Their best attempt came from Haywood in the 78th minute who thundered a rasping 30-yard drive narrowly wide. 

In the final minute alert United goalkeeper Robert Beckwith made a superb block on the line from a deflection following a long throw. The keeper recovered quickly to snatch the loose ball off the toes of Halesowen substitute Jimmy Haarhoff. There was still time for one more United attack that ended with home skipper Steve Pope getting a touch to divert a shot from Valley substitute Dave Pearson up and over the bar.