CITY EXPOSE VALLEY DEFENSIVE FRAILTIES

Photo: Martin Pulley

Neil King celebrates with striker Daren Dykes after equalising during the opening period with his first goal for the club

Returning manager Tony Dobson's first league game back in charge of Valley ended in defeat to Oxford City.

Despite an improved performance during the first half, Rugby still went in behind at the break thanks to some poor defending while a deflected effort shortly after half time sealed Valley's fate.

Dobson made four changes with ex-players Scott Musgrove and Danny Williams returning to the club while Dave Clarke deputised in goal for the suspended Andrew Stevens while Neil King was recalled to central midfield.

Oxford got off to the best possible start inside the opening two minutes when Craig Herbert made a defensive howler - gifting possession to goal-poacher Andy Baird who run through and scrambled the ball past Clarke.

Rugby were shook by the early goal but soon found their feet and went on to pressurise Oxford for the majority of the first half.

Valley's equaliser was well deserved and well worked. Musgrove's incisive pass from central midfield was flicked into the path of the on-running Neil King by striker David Kolodynski and King took the ball brilliantly into his stride before slotting home his first goal for the club.

Despite continuing to knock on the door for a second goal, Rugby were undone just before half time all too easily.

A long ball was flicked high into the area to an unmarked Baird who had time to control the ball and smash the ball past Clarke with ease.

The hosts were buoyed by the goal and came out for the second half all guns blazing and missed two good opportunities before extending their lead in fortuitous fashion.

Substitute Michael Lyon cut in from the right flank before seeing his attempted curled effort deflect just enough to loop over Clarke and into the net.

A two goal defecit looked an unlikely task for Rugby to come back from given recent form and confidence levels but Valley did pull a goal back when Craig Herbert went some way to redeeming his earlier error by powerfully headed home Steve Purton's free kick on the hour-mark.

Although Rugby had plenty of time to formulate an equaliser Oxford closed the game out effectively and restricted Valley's attacks with Dobson promising more changes for the next league game at the end of the match.

Valley Line-up: Clarke, Scott (Commander), Purton, King, Herbert, Gordon, Gearing (J Taylor), Musgrove, Dykes, Kolodynski, Williams (Edge). Subs not used: Curtis, Ryan. Booked: None. Sent off: None.

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

Report by RTFC Online.