VALLEY DRAW BLANK IN FINAL FRIENDLY

A Thatcham defender has a good hold of Rugby full back Stefan Morley during the second half at a sun-drenched Butlin Road

Rugby Town rounded off their pre-season schedule with a goal-less draw with Thatcham Town in baking conditions at Butlin Road.

The result meant that Valley had lost just one of their eight pre-season games leading up to the new BGB Premier Division season, which starts next week at Clevedon Town, and the latest run-out against BGB Division One South & West side Thatcham provided one final run-out for Billy Jeffrey's men.

With Jeffrey still away on holiday, it was left to assistant Kenny Mist to see over affairs and despite there being no goals, there was still plenty of entertainment throughout the ninety minutes.

Rugby were buoyed by the news that Akin Aladetoun had agreed a one year contract with the club before the game and he came into the starting eleven in place of David Kolodynski as part of two changes from the win against Ardley, with the other being trialist Ashley Blake coming in at centre half.

After a ten minute delay due to the visitors getting caught in traffic, Rugby started strongly with Matt Gearing and David Stone threatening in behind the Thatcham defence early on and it was indeed Stone who had the first attempt of the game but his low shot was well saved by Paul Strudley.

Thatcham only threatened occasionally during the first half as Ryan Williams saw his 25-yard free-kick sail past the post while Jason Grey's spin and shot was off target.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Studley had to be on his toes to deny a weaving Stone. The pacey striker had wriggled his way past two defenders in the box after chasing down Stefan Morley's long pass but the Thatcham stopper was equal to Stone's lobbed effort as he parried the ball wide.

Aladetoun was then presented with two chances inside five minutes as the Nigerian-born striker firstly fired wide from 12 yards before missing the chance of the match as he headed David Staff's inswinging corner wide of the goal from only six yards.

Gearing shot an awkward half volley over before he penetrated the Thatcham defence but again Strudley was on hand to keep the home side at bay.

The start of the second half almost saw substitute striker Kolodynski score within a minute of appearing but Thatcham skipper Rick Allaway got back to make a crucial interception.

Gearing then cut in from the right before curling his left footed effort just wide before Strudley found himself back-pedalling to carefully see one of Tom Breward's trademark lobs over the bar.

Allaway then came close to giving Rugby the lead as he inadvertantly headed Staff's whipped cross goalwards but luckily wide of the goal.

Visiting goalkeeper Studley's busy afternoon continued with 10 minutes remaining as substitute Tristan Kabongo met Kolodynski's shot with a powerful header only to see Strudley making a superb reaction save onto the crossbar.

Mario Nurse and Adam Kingsbeer both had efforts for Thatcham in the second half that didn't really trouble young replacement goalkeeper Simon Lynn while Kolodynski failed to get the necessary power on his shot after he had turned in the box.

Valley will be hoping for more success at finding the net when they travel to Clevedon Town next weekend.

Valley Lineup: Faz Afandiyev (Simon Lynn), Aaron Stringfellow, Stefan Morley, Ashley Blake, Delroy Gordon, Willis Francis (Scott Musgrove), Matt Gearing (Stefan McGrath), Tom Breward (Michael Skubala), David Stone (Tristan Kabongo), Akin Aladetoun (David Kolodynski), David Staff.
Subs not used: none.

Thatcham line-up : Strudley, McClay, Taplin, Melladew, Allaway, Thomas, Williams, Kingsbeer, S White, Grey, Nurse. Subs: D White, Weeks, Corkoran, Allaine, Leecock.

Report by RTFC Online.