GOOD ALL ROUND RUGBY

Photo: Martin Pulley

Rugby's players including Tom Breward, Stephan Morley, Dave Pearson and David Staff mob Matt Gearing whose late goal sealed the win

Jason Turner's first goal of the season and Matt Gearing's late effort helped to secure a valuable victory for Rugby Town over mid-table Tiverton Town.

After a good performance against Oxford City Saturday previous, Rugby again put in another good shift and thoroughly deserved the three points.

Rugby manager Tony Dobson fielded the unusual strikeforce of Jason Turner and Dave Pearson, starting his first game since October with regular partners David Kolodynski suspended and David Stone dropped to the bench.

There was also a place on the bench for midfielder Neil Melvin, making a return to the teamsheet for the first time in over five years.

Valley made fine start to the game with Turner and Pearson going close early on and seeing efforts cleared off the line.

Rugby got the ball down well at times, defended solidly and controlled the game from start to finish.

The home side got their reward when a nice break down the right saw the impressive Pearson find Turner's perfectly timed run to beat the offside trap and the striker kept his composure to slot the ball home.

Goalkeeper Andy Stevens was rarely troubled between the posts for Rugby but everything he did do was assured, claiming many tricky crosses in difficult windy conditions.

The second half was a relatively uneventful affair although it was Rugby who made the running and created a hatful of half chances.

Pearson and substitute Stone both weaved their way through the visiting defence without a final product while Scott Musgrove came very close to converting Stone's cross.

After a few nervy moments Rugby finally sealed the points when a neat one-two between Matt Gearing and Stone resulted in the former slotting home with composure complete Rugby's first double of the season.

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

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

Report by RTFC Online.