VALLEY GIFTWRAP POINTS FOR TUDORS

Photo: Martin Pulley

David Staff was one of the better players out of a bad bunch on the day amongst Rugby's squad at the Vauxhall Ground

Rugby put in a poor display at the Vauxhall Ground last Saturday, falling to yet another defeat to the Tudors – their eighth in the nine matches between the two clubs.

Town gifted Hemel all three of their goals, with keeper Andrew Stevens culpable for the opener and then sloppy defending from Tom Breward to blame for the two further strikes from the home side.

Valley’s only goal of the game was also provided courtesy of the opposition, thanks to Tudors’ defender Nathan Bowden-Haase’s equalising own goal.

Bowden-Haase had also given the hosts the lead after just three minutes, with Rugby conceding an early soft goal for the third game in succession. Stevens made a hash of Thomas’s looping deflected cross, appearing to lose the ball in the bright sky, before dropping it behind him to allow the Hemel defender a simple chance to score.

Valley were soon level however, when Bowden-Haase also obliged at the other end when Stephan Morley’s free-kick clipped off his body and past his own keeper.

The hosts were generally on top in the game’s opening exchanges though, as Rugby struggled to adapt to a new formation which saw David Stone playing in behind the front two of Kolodynski and full debutant Jason Turner, with a much narrower midfield three than usual also in operation.

Chris Dillon’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected just wide by his own player Chris Herron, and both Yiadom Yeboah and Drew Roberts also went close, as the home side pressed forward looking to regain the advantage.

For Rugby, David Staff’s thirty yard free-kick was easily dealt with by Ian Brown, and Stone’s low rasping drive was just off target.

On 22 minutes, the unmarked Roberts did the trick however after his strike partner Anthony Thomas had made Breward pay for a poor clearance header which also saw him pulled out of position.

After this blow, Town did at least briefly impose themselves on the game - getting the ball down and attempting to play some of their more customary free flowing football.

Turner nearly finished off one such good move, but his half volley from the angle was fired straight at Brown, and then from a near identical position Neil King smashed his effort over the bar from twelve yards out – with Turner the provider this time round with a cross from the left wing.

Staff also curled one high of the goal after an incisive through ball by Stone, as Rugby finished the half in better spirits, although just before the interval, the home side had a great shout for a penalty turned away after Morley appeared to take out Roberts in the area.

Hemel extended their lead even further just four minutes into the second period, after Breward dived in without success and Thomas easily took the ball past him and curled the ball into the top corner from twenty yards.

Thomas’s strike effectively ended the game as a contest, as Valley struggled from there on in – putting in probably the most ineffectual half under Dobson to-date. Lacking shape and direction, chances for Rugby were few and far between.

Rugby’s best chance of the half saw Scott Musgrove strike one over with a couple of minutes of normal time remaining. Before that, Stevens had pulled out one decent stop to deny Thomas, and Roberts and Dillon also had good chances for the home side.

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

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

Report by Jon Venner.