Tuesday 13 February 2007

Attendance | 499

Skipper Craig Herbert's injury time winner saw them progress through to the final four of the competition for the first time since 1990, although bad news for manager Billy Jeffrey saw four of his already threadbare squad pick up injuries ahead of a crucial run of league fixtures.

Jeffrey stuck to the same 3-5-2 formation which had performed so well in the final 80 minutes of the game against Wealdstone 10 days previously, with Danny Hall and David Blenkinsopp slotting back into the side in place of the unavailable Jamie Williams and the ill Jason Taylor.

Rugby more than held their own against a relatively inexperienced Linnets' side in the first period of the game, and in fact created by far the better goalscoring chances in that time.

Both David Stone and David Blenkinsopp failed to capitalise on glorious opportunities when clean through on King's keeper McAnally. Stone's effort was blocked by a defender after he had rounded the goalie, and Blenkinsopp lost control of the ball after he too had skipped past the oncoming McAnally.

Sandwiched in between these two misses, Matt Gearing also threatened McAnally's goal when he cut inside and shot from an acute angle, and earlier in the game Herbert's header had only just been off-target.

For the home side, triallist centre-forward Steve Diggin was proving to be a handful for Town's defensive trio and he tested Farhad Afandiyev on a number of occasions in the first half, and the Azerbaijani did well to protect his clean sheet.

Afandiyev was in even more inspired form in the second period, pulling off a string of outstanding saves - including memorable ones again from Diggin, Jack Defty and Spriggs.

Blenkinsopp squandered another opportunity after being released through the middle of the King's Lynn defence, this time blasting wide from a dangerous position.

At the other end, the woodwork also saved the Valley a couple of times, as the young Linnets began to pile the pressure on an equally young visiting side. With extra time looming and with Afandiyev finally appearing to be beaten, Herbert scooped the ball clear from the mud in the goalmouth to thwart a certain goal.

Craig Herbert then assumed the hero's role in the opposite penalty area minutes later when he managed to get his body to a Gearing free-kick, helping the ball into the net off the underside of the bar to the evident joy of the Rugby bench and the small gathering of travelling fans.

The victory was achieved at a cost however, with Willis Francis limping off in the first half and Ross Harris unable to rejoin the game after the interval. David Stone joined them on the sidelines partway through the second half and with Delroy Gordon also struggling late in the game, Jeffrey's injury woes escalated.

Stone's withdrawal saw a competitive first team debut for youth teamer Todd Sawko, and he battled bravely in the middle of park alongside fellow substitute and teenager Scott Wells.

Report by Jon Venner.

Rugby Lineup:

	FAZ AFANDIYEV Star Man
	Ross Harris
	Chris Tullin
	Craig Herbert (c) Scored 1
	Delroy Gordon
	Danny Hall
	Matthew Gearing
	Willis Francis
	David Blenkinsopp
	David Stone
	Aaron Stringfellow

Used Substitutes

	David Kolodynski
	Todd Sawko
	Scott Wells