Saturday 10 March 2007

Attendance | 206

	David Stone gets Rugby back into the game after falling to a 2-0 first half deficit but Valley allowed Clevedon to win 3-2

Seasiders' substitute Daine O'Connor's winner condemned Valley to their 16th league defeat of the season, pushing them closer to the danger zone in the process.

O'Connor's 82nd minute goal was even crueler for the home side, as it came after they had battled back into the game - drawing level after gifting Clevedon a two goal half-time lead.

With Willis Francis unavailable through illness and Aaron Stringfellow suspended, there was a rare start for David Kolodynski and a recall for Jamie Williams. Recent squad addition Akinwale Aladetoun was also ruled out through injury, meaning Billy Jeffrey's bench had a distinctly threadbare look to it.

Clevedon took the lead after just 5 minutes when Kris Whitcombe was given far too much time and space on the right, and his deep cross found an equally free Danny Haines at the far post - who smashed the ball low past Farhad Afandiyev.

Ross Harris's well-timed tackle denied Jack Pitcher minutes later, before Valley finally settled and exerted some pressure on no-better-than-average opposition.

Kolodynski, Jason Taylor and David Stone combined well to give Matt Gearing a shooting opportunity on 19 minutes, and Craig Herbert's bobbling shot almost sneaked through a crowded penalty box.

With Stone looking nearer his best form again in a more withdrawn role, hopes were high of an equaliser, and Kolodynski almost benefited from a quick free-kick and subsequent fine through ball from Stone.

Stone himself blazed over from the corner of the box, and then Taylor put a weak shot into the arms of Clevedon keeper Danny Greaves after Chris Tullin and Kolodynski had created an excellent opportunity for him.

However with the half-time whistle approaching, atrocious Rugby defending saw the visitors extend their advantage. Both Harris and Delroy Gordon were at fault in allowing Mitchell Page a clear shot at goal, and he clinically punished them powering into the net to the dismay of the home crowd.

Valley gave themselves the life-line they needed on 50 minutes, when Herbert looped a ball into the box and Kolodynski cleverly headed down to David Stone, who slipped his marker on the turn and stroked home.

Hanin Romhdane's header from a Jack Pitcher cross was well-saved low down by Afandiyev, before Stone was forced to leave the field after a second head injury of the game had left him with blood pouring from a nose wound.

Gordon then headed Taylor's far post cross into the side netting, before substitute Andy Commander's foray forward led to a Taylor lay off for David Kolodynski to curl home an equaliser.

Shortly after, in a near identical position, Kolodynski's attempted an identical finish - only to see the ball fly wide of the post this time.

Clevedon struck the killer blow on 82 mins when Haines's speculative effort looped up off Harris, and with Afandiyev unable to deal satisfactorily with the high ball, O'Connor was on-hand to pick up the pieces and roll the ball into the empty goal.

Kolodynski then missed another good chance, heading into Greaves's arms after a Williams free-kick had picked out his run.

Williams's break into the box and low shot marked the final chance of the game, but again Greaves was well-placed to deal with the threat.

Rugby Lineup:

	Farhad Afandiyev
	Ross Harris
	Chris Tullin
	Craig Herbert
	Delroy Gordon
	DANNY HALL Star Man
	Matthew Gearing
	David Kolodynski Scored 1
	Jason Taylor
	David Stone Scored 1
	Jamie Williams

Subs Used

Andy Commander