VALLEY HUFF & PUFF WITH NO END RESULT

Photo: Martin Pulley

Kieran Fitzharris is tackled during the first half at Butlin Road

Rugby Town were second best all afternoon as Evesham United came out on top in this BGB Premier Division encounter at Butlin Road by a single goal.

Valley never got going, lacking any cohesiveness and struggled to cope with Evesham's attacking threat all game.

The scoreline could and should have been a lot more but for some poor finishing by the visitors and some excellent saves from Valley keeper Andrew Stevens.

Rugby only rallied late on in the final stages but it proved to be too little too late.

Tony Dobson reverted to the same line-up that had defeated Tiverton Town last week after the mid-week defeat to Bedworth but the performance was anything but repeated.

Evesham started the much better side and after spurning two good chances they finally took the lead on 23 minutes.

Rugby failed to put a tackle in, despite being given plenty of opportunity to do so, with the ball finding Danny Scheppel on the edge of the area who coolly curled the ball into the corner.

The Robins could easily have extended their lead in the first half by more than one goal with Rugby's only chances coming with two half chances for David Kolodynski.

Evesham hit the crossbar and came close numerous times in the second half while the late introduction of Daren Dykes appeared to give Rugby a little more attacking threat.

However, Dykes was guilty of missing a glorious chance in the dying seconds when he completely missed the ball with the goal gaping after David Stone's centre. The ball did carry on to Matt Gearing who seemed certain to score from eight yards but his goal-bound effort was blocked, meaning Valley were denied an undeserved point.

Valley Line-up: Stevens, Nicell (Simpson), Morley, Breward, Gordon, Herbert, Fitzharris (Gearing), King (Dykes), Stone, Kolodynski, Musgrove. Subs not used: Pearson, Clarke. Booked: None. Sent off: None.

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

Report by RTFC Online.