THE LUCK'S JUST NOT IN FOR VALLEY

Rugby’s troubled season continued when two late goals condemned them to defeat in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

By Jon Venner.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Valley star man Marcel Simpson makes a challenge in midfield during the second half at Butlin Road.

David Kolodynski’s neat goal on 72 minutes had pulled Valley back into the tie after a first half opener from the visitors, but then strikes from two Hucknall substitutes - Richard Liburn and Nathan Kelly – sealed the evenly-contested affair.

Rugby were once more guilty of squandering a number of gilt-edged chances though, with Kolodynski responsible for the miss of the game when he rolled the ball the wrong side of an open goal shortly after Hucknall’s second.

Jason Ramsay had wasted a similarly inviting opportunity in the first period, after the away team had taken a 32nd minute lead through Tyeisse Nightingale’s simple close range finish.

Kolodynski’s equalizer came when he lifted the ball over the keeper Daniel Haystead’s head from the edge of the area. Liburn’s clinical finish put the visitors ahead again and then a stoppage time clincher from Kelly added insult to injury to the home side who seem void of any kind of good fortune at the moment.

To further prove that point, Steve Purton had struck the base of the post early in the game, and Haystead had to scramble across the goalmouth to keep out Matt Gearing’s low half volley mid-way through the second half.

Valley Line-up: Stevens; Nicell, Donaghey (Castleton), Pringle (Davis), Gordon; Gearing (Richards), Purton, Simpson, Melvin; Kolodynski, Ramsay. Subs not used: Bell. Booked: Kolodynski, Melvin. Sent off: None.