BASH BOSH VALLEY

Photo: Martin Pulley

Star man David Staff curled in a superb 20-yard effort to get Valley back on level terms but Rugby could not go on to get anything out of the game.

Valley's precarious position above the drop zone became even more unstable after another defeat - this time to Bashley at Butlin Road.

Despite the long journey midweek, the visitors stunned their hosts and got themselves a two goal lead. Rugby got themselves back into the game before the break with two goals of their own, only to again surrender the initiative just before half time.

Chances came and went in the second period to no avail as Valley could not clinch a crucial goal and a vital point.

Tony Dobson opted for one change with Neil King coming in on the right side of midfield and Dave Pearson moving into attack with Jason Turner out with an ankle problem.

Valley started really well and soon had the ball in the net although it was ruled out for offside. David Staff failed to connect properly with David Kolodynski's cross from the left and Pearson smashed home the rebound from close range but the assistant deemed it offside.

After asserting all of the pressure during the opening 20 minutes, Rugby were then hit by a Bashley sucker-punch.

In their first foray forwards Bash took the lead with a touch of good fortune. The left winger latched onto a loose ball in the middle of the park and scuffed his shot from 25 yards straight to unmarked team-mate Tarr who drilled a low shot beyond Andrew Stevens.

Things got even worse for a shocked Rugby when the visitors repeated the trick. A deep corner was only half cleared and Allen netted after an ugly goalmouth scramble.

Valley managed to compose themselves and soon had a foothold back in the game with Kolodynski finally breaking the club's four game goal-less run, tapping in from close range.

Rugby got their deserved equaliser seven minutes before half time with Staff curling in a picturesque goal from 20 yards beyond David Elms.

Valley almost got another goal when Bashley did not deal with a long ball but Pearson failed to get a shot away with only the goalkeeper to beat.

However, despite having all the momentum, Rugby did not capitialise as they searched for another before the break and Bashley looked dangerous on the counter attack.

After already hitting the woodwork just moments earlier, Tarr saw a low effort rebound off the upright and richochet to Knight who rifled in from the edge of the area.

After the break, Rugby tried to up the tempo but Bashley defended stoutly and kept clear cut chances at a premium.

Substitute Matt Gearing twice went close after piercing runs while Bashley themselves could have killed the game off towards the end.

The two best chances fell late on to centre back Craig Herbert. Firstly after a free kick was half cleared, Herbert dragged a shot from 10 yards wide with the goal gaping while later the defender forced a save from Elms when trying to loop the ball over the goalkeeper.

Valley Line-up: Stevens; Nicell (Taylor), Morley, Herbert, Gordon; King, Staff, Musgrove (Gearing), Breward; Kolodynski, Pearson. Subs not used: Melvin, Purton. Booked: None. Sent off: None.

Bashley Line-up: TBC. Subs not used: TBC.

Report by RTFC Online.