ADDERS DO IT AGAIN IN BSC

For the second year running, Rugby crashed out of their county cup competition with a poor display at Sheepy Road against Midland Alliance side Adders.

Valley boss Billy Jeffrey gave a start to Mark Edge, David Kolodynski and keeper Alessandro Barcherini in place of the injured Scott Musgrove and the rested David Stone and Simon Lynn, but overall it was a disappointing performance from a Valley side - who showed no real interest in progressing to the next stage of the competition.

The defeat was compounded by the sending off of Stephan Morley for two bookable offences, the second coming in farcical circumstances. With the game nearing its conclusion, the Atherstone bench were slow to return a ball to the field of play. When two balls suddenly appeared at the same time, Morley helped one from the arena, and was rewarded for his actions with a red card.

The only goal of the game had come after 12 minutes when Leigh Platnauer mis-hit a back pass, and Ashley Wells pounced on the error to blast the ball under Barcherini.

Rugby created little in response in the first half, apart from Akin Aladetoun's fiercely driven shot which was always going well-wide of the host's goal.

Matters barely improved in the second period, although late-on Kolodynski did have a glorious chance to take the game into extra-time from six yards out, but instead of steadying himself before shooting, he snatched at the ball and his effort was blocked.

Valley Line-Up: Barcherini 6, STRINGFELLOW 7*, Morley 5, Herbert 5, Platnauer 5, Breward 6, Blake 5, Edge 5 (Stone 6), Aladetoun 5 (McGrath 6), Kolodynski 5, Staff 6.
Subs not used : Harris, Lynn, Kabongo
Bookings: Morley
Sent Off: Morley

Report by Jon Venner.