RUGBY FALL TO NARROW DEFEAT

Rugby Town were again on the wrong end of a scoreline as Hemel Hempstead overcame Valley after a tight game at Vauxhall Road.

By Craig Webb.

Photo: Martin Pulley

In wet conditions at Vauxhall Road Matt Gearing makes inroads against his former club although the winger missed a golden opportunity for Rugby just before half time

Rugby are still waiting for their first away point of the season, but new boss Lee Colkin and fans can be encouraged by their best performance so far, in a match in which they were extremely unlucky to come away with a point and a valid claim for a penalty turned down.

Colkin was forced to make a couple of changes from the home defeat to Merthyr, with new signing Greg Smith unavailable due to a family commitment, and Jamie McGhee also absent.

Returning to the team after a couple of seasons was Chris Tullin slotting in a left back in place of Liam Nicell, with Andy Commander also coming in to a more robust looking defence.

Town were hoping to kick start their season at Vauxhall Road against a team in 17th place and to close the ever widening points difference to the other teams.

They nearly made the worst possible start when a mix up involving goalkeeper Andy Stevens and Michael Love nearly allowed Hemel a chance on goal after just 5 minutes.

The home side were getting into their stride and Adam Martin had a good shot well saved the rebound falling to Ryan Blake whose shot found the side netting.

Despite the heavy rain which started just before kick off and the howling wind made playing neat football difficult but Brian Bowles and David Kolodynski linked well to play in David Staff whose shot was blocked by the Hemel defence.

Rugby were playing with more confidence, and endeavour, but again stray passing was letting them down.

Kolodynski, whose goals have been harder to come by this season, had a great shot from the edge of the area, but saw effort go wide of the far post.

Despite a couple of half chances from the home side, Rugby seemed the finish the 1st half on top when Matt Gearing had a golden opportunity to put them ahead.

An accurate pass from Kolodynski, found Gearing who after a fast run down the line shot his effort wide of the post, when perhaps a cross across goal was the better option.

Rugby had make a change early in the second half, when striker Kolodynski struggling with a back injury was replaced by Shawn Richards, and was to cause problems for the Hemel defence which included former Chelsea player, Danny Granville.

With the Tudors passing the ball well, but not really creating anything, the game was still Rugby’s to win and Bowles tried his luck from 30 yards, but didn’t trouble Mike McEntegart in the home goal.

Halfway through the half came the talking point of the game when Rugby were denied what they thought was a penalty.

A high ball came over towards Richards and as it was bouncing, Leon Solomon seemed to pull the striker down inside the area, but the referee and his assistant much to the disgust of the vociferous away fans awarded a freekick on the edge of the area.

Just as Rugby were thinking of a deserving away point, they were dealt a cruel blow when Tommy Black somehow managed to squeeze the ball home at the far post despite the outstretched hands of Stevens.

A much better and encouraging performance for Town, but they still to record a victory this season, hoping that will change in the home game with Stourbridge on Saturday.

Valley Line-up: Stevens; Tullin, Commander, Gordon, Love, Gearing (Davis), Staff, Fellows, Bowles, Youngs; Kolodynski (Richards). Subs not used: Simpson, Nicell, Herbert. Booked: Tullin, Commander. Sent off: None.

Hemel Hempstead Town: Mike McEntegart, Long, Solomon, Yeboah, Matthew McEntegart, Granville, Eames, Akers, Hatch, Blake, Martin.