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Grantham
Town 2-2 Rugby Town
Southern
League Premier Division
Monday,
2nd January 2005
Attendance
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| Entertainment |
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A
magnificent individual goal just before the break from
David Stone was the only spark in a dull game with a
lack of pretty football at Grantham as Rugby saw in
the New Year with a score draw.
Billy
Jeffrey was forced to make two changes, with key players
Craig Herbert and Willis Francis unavailable, with Tommy
Hannigan and Kevin Slinn coming in to replace them.
The
home side got off to the best possible start after just
two minutes as a corner was met by the head of Adrian
Speed and it fell in the six yard box with two Grantham
players desperately trying to get the ball in the net,
but despite the efforts of Rugby goalkeeper Farhad Afandiyev,
Michael Sneddon forced the ball into the net.
After
their goal, Grantham surprisingly lost all their confidence
and could not string two passes together and Rugby were
in the ascendancy.
Former
Grantham defender Tim Wooding saw a dipping volley worry
Gingerbread goalkeeper Mario Ziccardi for a few moments
only for it to just go over the bar after his initial
free-kick was cleared.
The
equaliser came after fourteen minutes as a simple long
throw from Matt Green was met by the head of Delroy
Gordon who guided the ball into the far corner.
Gordon
had a glorious opportunity to give Rugby the lead moments
later but despite being unmarked, the youngster could
only head into the ground and watch his effort bounce
over the crossbar.
Just
before half time, David Stone produced a bit
of brilliance. After running from the half way
line, he weaved past two challenges and beat a third
man and even though he was being fouled, the young striker
kept his footing and confidently slid the ball home
past Ziccardi.
The
second half was a different affair as Grantham started
to find their feet and they dictated the play, albeit
with long balls.
Grantham's
equaliser came on fifty-eight minutes with a move down
the Rugby left as Jason Turner found himself
in acres of space and drove the ball low into the corner.
The
home side were to feel aggrieved as what seemed a certain
penalty was turned down and at the other end, Hannigan
missed a guilt-edged chance as he mis-kicked Robbie
Beard's low cross.
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