SKIPPER SEES RED AS YELTZ END AWAY RUN

Despite going down to 10 men, Rugby fought on and got a goal back through an excellent David Stone individual effort

Skipper Craig Herbert's dismissal just short of the hour mark was clearly the turning point in a game which saw the Valley fall to their first defeat in eight away league matches.

With the score goal-less, Herbert was adjudged to have upended Yeltz striker Eldon Maquemba in the penalty area, and despite a vehement protest to the contrary he was sent-off for the challenge.

Although ex-Birmingham City midfielder Paul Devlin missed the resulting spot-kick, the home side soon took full advantage of their extra man, plundering two goals in quick succession from Dean Brennan and Maquemba on 65 and 68 minutes respectively.

Rugby had more than held their own up until Herbert's red card, with David Stone missing a good chance to give his side the lead early in the game, and Alex Bolt's rasping drive from 25 yards drawing a fine save from Halesowen keeper Mark Osborn.

Virtually straight from the kick-off for the second half, Scott Musgrove then struck his effort straight into Osborn's arms from close range, after David Staff, Stone and Akin Aladetoun had combined well down the right hand side.

Brennan's opener came after Darren Caskey's initial shot had been blocked and the rebound had fallen kindly for the hosts, and then Maquemba headed home a near post corner to double the Yeltz's advantage.

Stone made amends for his earlier miss and gave his side a lifeline on 71 minutes, when he weaved his way through a crowded box and fired his effort high into the net from ten yards.

Staff's free-kick was then well saved by Osborn, before Halesowen struck twice in the closing minutes of the game through Zema Abbey and Devlin to give the score a somewhat flattering appearance.

Devlin became the second player to receive his marching orders when he was spotted striking out at Stephan Morley - with the game deep into added-on time.

In the continued absence of Delroy Gordon, Town boss Billy Jeffrey blooded another youngster at the heart of his defence, with Northampton Town centre-back Nick Thorogood the latest teenager to feature in a Valley shirt. Thorogood has joined the club on a short-term work experience basis.


Valley Line-up: Margarson7, STRINGFELLOW 8*, Morley 7, Herbert 6, Thorogood 6, Breward 8, Musgrove 7, Bolt 7 (Edge 6), Aladetoun 7 (Kolodynski 6), Stone 7, Staff 6.
Subs not used: Haris,
Booked: Staff, Musgrove, Player..
Sent Off: Herbert

Report by Jon Venner.