STONE RETURNS AS ROD OVERSEES FIRST CRUCIAL LEAGUE WIN

Midfielder Scott Musgrove celebrates after volleying Rugby into a 2-1 lead during the first half.

Rugby forward David Stone returned to the starting line-up and scored his twelfth goal of the season to help new Valley boss Rod Brown to his first league win.

Rod welcomed Richard Anstiss back in goal while a starting place was also given to new loan signing Cameron Jones from Walsall.

Jones impressed with a man of the match performance on his debut on the right wing as Rugby dominated the game and should have won by a larger margin.

Valley started brightly but went a goal down on 25 minutes when Scott Musgrove's clearance bounced off Craig Herbert and sat up nicely for Michael Jackson to drive into the corner from eight yards.

Rugby were deservedly level when Rorey Curtis fed the ball through for Stone who outpaced the defence and slotted home with ease.

Musgrove was on hand to score what turned out to be the winning goal two minutes later when he converted David Staff's inch-perfect cross following excellent closing down from Tom Breward.

Jones created three excellent chances in the second half - two for Musgrove - following runs down the right but Rugby could not add to their tally and turn their pressure and dominance into goals.

Cirencester posed slightly more threat in the second period but overall Rugby were comfortable winners.

Valley Line-up: Anstiss 7, Stringfellow 6, Morley 7, Herbert 7, Gordon 7, Breward 8 (Edge 6), JONES 8* (Scott 6), Musgrove 8, Curtis 7 (Pearson 6), Stone 7, Staff 7.
Subs not used: Kolodynski
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None

Report by RTFC Online.