NO SIGN OF CHANGE FOR VALLEY

Rugby’s desperate season continued in Oxfordshire as they slipped to their 13th defeat of the campaign, and despite an encouraging second half performance they again conceded an injury time goal when chasing the equaliser.

By Craig Webb.

The away supporters were surprised and shocked when popular player from the early nineties, Terry Angus appeared on the coach travelling down.

They were hoping the 43 year old would show his skills on the pitch but he was the manager for the day as Lee Colkin was away due to family commitments. Unfortunately, he couldn’t change fortunes on the pitch.

There were 2 changes from the defeat against Stourbridge with Matt Gearing and Sam Youngs back in the starting line up, with Karl Fellowes and Brian Bowles on the bench. Also returning to the club and on the bench was Josh Thompson.

Rugby started the game nervously when goalkeeper Andy Stevens needlessly gave away a corner from a Del Gordon back pass, but made up for that mistake with some truly wonderful saves.

The weather conditions were to play a part all afternoon, with the heavy rain making the surface slippery. David Staff and recent signing Matt Brown combined well together but couldn’t fathom a shot to trouble home goalkeeper Matt Trott.

Town did start the game quite well with Didcot having limited efforts on goal, but the game turned in the 27th minute when Michael Alexis put The Railwaymen away.

It really came from nothing, the ball was in a crowded penalty area, the loose ball found Alexis who shot past Stevens into the far corner.

Didcot nearly made it two just minutes later but Alex Stanley’s long range shot proved no danger as it went wide. Again, Staff, Brown and now Greg Smith shared some good interlinking play and but did not trouble the Didcot defence.

Rugby improved in the second half with Matt Gearing having a cracking shot from Sam Young’s cross, and were creating half chances.

They were dealt a blow though on 54 minutes when Smith was taken off due to concussion replaced by Fellowes. Didcot were hoping to increase their lead and they nearly did when Alexis hit a shot on the turn but his effort was high and wide.

He had another chance just a minute later when he outran Delroy Gordon but his shot was saved by Steven’s leg. The game was now end to end, when Didcot when 2-0 up.

Their leading scorer Mark Draycott hit a thumping volley from 25 yards leaving Stevens with no chance, but within 90 seconds Rugby were back in it.

Thompson who earlier had come on for Youngs, found space on the right and directed his header past Trott.

Rugby were going for the equaliser, with Thompson hitting a tame shot towards the end. The scoreline was given a flattering look in the 4th minute of injury time when Draycott added his second.

Valley Line-up: Stevens; Tullin, Commander, Gordon, Love; Gearing (Richards), Staff, Nicell, Youngs (Thompson); Smith (Fellows), Brown. Subs not used: Castleton, Bowles. Booked: None. Sent off: None.

Didcot: Trott, Heapy, Jack, Williams, Mortimer-Jones, Stanley, Costello, Alexis, Bartley, Draycott, John. Subs: Brown, Hopkins, Williams, Bruce, Concannon.