SECOND HALF GOALS SEAL WIN

Photo: CS

Dave Pearson makes in-roads down the left hand side during the first half at Cranfield

Rugby Town's pre-season schedule continued with a 3-0 win against Cranfield United.

Conditions were warm and the pitch was in excellent condition at the Spartan South Midland League Division One side as Valley again opted to select two different sides for each half.

Rugby assistant Richard Scott was overseeing matters with manager Rod Brown still recovering from a hip operation. Captain Craig Herbert was unavailable due to holiday while Ashley Walker was carrying a knock. Ex-Walsall Andrew Bentley was also not present for the game, but midfielder Mark Edge did make his first appearance of pre-season.

The hosts were treating the game as anything but a friendly and after two dangerous tackles on midfielders Kieran Fitzharris and Neil Melvin, one of the Cranfield players was forced from the field by the referee.

Rugby stuttered during the first half despite goalkeeper Andrew Stevens have very little to deal with, as Valley's best chance came as Fitzharris saw his free-kick rebound off the underside of the crossbar.

Valley's new XI for the second half almost immediately went ahead after the break but Rory Curtis poked his effort wide when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

The pressure eventually told, with Daren Dykes smashing home from eight yards after David Kolodynski had nodded the back from Matt Gearing's cross.

Cranfield started to tire as the game went on and Rugby added another two goals.

Firstly, Dykes returned the favour for Kolodynski who bundled home from close range following a corner before second half substitute Ashley Robinson chipped home after a run down the right.

Valley 1st Half Line-up: Andrew Stevens, Richard Scott, Andy Commander, Steve Purton, Edward Ryan, Delroy Gordon, Mark Taylor, Neil Melvin, Kieran Fitzharris, Dave Pearson, Avun Jephcott.

Valley 2nd Half Line-up: Andrew Stevens, Richard Scott, Andy Commander, Steve Purton (Ashley Robinson), Matt Gearing, Kevin Banner, Neil King, Mark Edge (Anton Dimarino), David Kolodynski, Daren Dykes, Rory Curtis.

Report by RTFC Online.