BREWARD SEES RED AS BROWN TASTES DEFEAT IN FIRST GAME

Tom Breward's committed lunge earnt the midfielder a red card for two bookable offences and handed the initiative to the home side

New Valley boss Rod Brown failed to get off to a winning start as he saw his side put in a good effort but ultimately fell to a 2-0 defeat to league leaders King's Lynn.

King's Lynn took the lead during a fairly even first half and after surviving a barrage of early second half pressure, Rugby were dealt the blow of seeing Tom Breward sent off for a second bookable offence.

Valley never really troubled the Lynn defence despite a reasonably fluent first half display.

Joe Francis headed the home side in front after beating Rugby's debutant goalkeeper Ross Faulds (on loan from Luton Town) after a deep cross to the far post.

Rugby played some good football at times but could not carve out any clear opportunities. Striker Dave Pearson had the best efforts with two shots from twenty yards - one forcing a save from Scott Howie and the other going just over the crossbar.

King's Lynn came out for the second period full of beans and could have extended their lead but for two excellent saves from Faulds and for the crossbar denying an acrobatic effort from Jack Defty.

After Breward's dismissal, Lynn clinched the game when Defty was on hand to head home from close range after Francis' cross.

Valley Line-up: Faulds 6, Stringfellow 6, MORLEY 7*, Herbert 6, Gordon 6, Breward 7, Devlin 6 (Evans 6), Musgrove 7 (Francis 6), Pearson 6, Stone 6, Staff 6 (Kolodynski 6).
Subs not used: Aladetoun, Edge,
Booked: Musgrove, Breward, Devlin.
Sent Off: Breward

Report by Jon Venner.