ANOTHER EARLY TROPHY EXIT

Akin Aladetoun had a hat-trick of missed chances in the first half as Rugby went down to bogey side Clevedon Town.

Rugby fell at the first hurdle in a cup competition for the third time this season, after failing to recover from a poor start to their FA Trophy game at Butlin Road on Saturday.

Having found themselves two down after just six minutes, they then proceeded to dominate affairs for the remainder of the first half. However they only had a solitary goal from David Stone to show for their control in that time, despite creating numerous goalscoring opportunities.

A more evenly balanced second period followed, although chances still came Valley's way, before Clevedon midfielder Kevin Davies chipped in from long range to virtually put the game beyond the home side.

Seasiders' strike pairing Craig Davidge and Kyle Bassett had originally given the visitors that early initiative. After just two minutes, Davidge set up Bassett for a low diagonal drive which somehow squirted beneath Rugby keeper Simon Lynn and into the net, and then Bassett returning the compliment shortly after, picking out an unmarked Davidge at the far post to allow him to easily force the ball home.

After that it was all Valley, with Akin Aladetoun having two efforts cleared off the goaline, and David Staff, Stone and Scott Musgrove all seeing decent chances go begging.

Stone did manage to reduce the deficit five minutes before the interval though, when he chased down a long clearance and wriggled up the by-line from the corner flag before squeezing the ball between the keeper and the near post from an improbable angle.

Davies spotted Lynn off his line on 61 minutes though and cleverly lifted the ball over his head to restore the two goal margin, and despite late pressure from Rugby which saw Staff shoot narrowly over after yet another mazy run, and two fine low saves by Clevedon keeper Danny Greaves from Town substitute David Kolodynski, the hosts were unable to find a further way through and were left to contemplate on another early cup exit.

Valley Lineup: Lynn 5, Stringfellow 6, Morley 6, Herbert 7, Gordon 7, Breward 8, Blake 5 (Edge 6), Musgrove 6 (Kolodynski 6), Aladetoun 7, Stone 7, STAFF 8*.
Subs Not Used: Harris.
Bookings: n/a.
Sent Off: n/a.

Report by Jon Venner.