VALLEY FIND FORM AT LAST

Photo: Martin Pulley

Midfielder Steve Purton provides the cross for Rugby's third to round off an impressive return to the left hand side

Rugby Town finally recorded an overdue and much-needed BGB Premier Division victory against Merthyr Tydfil at Butlin Road.

Strike duo Dave Pearson and David Kolodynski shared the goals in a determined Valley performance which the home side really dominated from the beginning.

Kolodynski made it five goals in two games against Merthyr this season, taking his tally to 27 goals for the season.

The victory represents Valley's first in seven and ended a run of three straight defeats.

Rugby brought in Steve Purton on the left of midfield with David Staff moving to the right and Neil King reverting to centre midfield in the place of the injured Tom Breward.

Valley got out of the blocks quickly once again but this time made their possession and chances count.

After spending much of the opening minutes in the Merthyr half, Rugby's opener came on the counter attack as the visiting defence was caught square by Liam Nicell's long ball and Dave Pearson raced onto it and slotted home with ease.

Rugby defended stoutly and the workrate was very good from all the players as this formed a solid platform for the forward players to threaten Merthyr.

The lead was doubled with ten minutes remaining of the first half as a neat interchange in midfield created space in attack with the ball finding its way to Pearson in the area. The striker should have added to his own personal tally but his shot was saved however Pearson kept his composure with the rebound to cross for Kolodynski who headed home into the unguarded net from twelve yards.

The second half descended into more long balls as Merthyr threw on extra attackers to get something from the game.

The closest the visitors came was when Ashley Williams raking free kick was missed by everyone, including Valley keeper Andy Stevens, and bounced onto the crossbar.

The Martyrs thought they had a goal back when Marcus Griffiths found the net aftert a goal mouth scramble but the effort was ruled to out by the assistant's flag to the fury of the Merthyr players.

Musgrove's sloppy pass presented a perfect opportunity for Sam O'Sullivan but Stevens did well to rush off his line and make a smart save.

The visitors continued to throw bodies forward without creating too many chances or putting much pressure on the Rugby goal while Valley looked dangerous on the break.

Rugby broke quickly from a Merthyr set piece and Purton's bouncing through ball released Kolodynski totally threw on goal but after brining the ball down, the 19-year-old striker fluffed his lines by standing on the ball allowing a defender to recover and clear.

The young forward was not to be denied, however when the points were sealed with three minutes to go.

Purton drove on down the left hand side, delivering an inch perfect cross for substitute Jason Taylor whose header was brilliantly saved before falling to Kolodynski who had the easiest of tap-ins from close range.

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

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

Report by RTFC Online.