WINLESS RUGBY GO DOWN AGAIN

Rugby’s winless start to the season continued with another heavy defeat and poor performance at Court Place Farm, where the hosts duly picked up their first points of the campaign.

By Craig Webb.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Midfielder David Staff clashes with Oxford's Alexis during the second half

Manager Tony Dobson made 3 changes from the side which gained a point against Chippenham on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Danny Bell made his first start of the season in place of the injured Andy Stevens while Neil Melvin and Harry Donaghey started in place of Steve Purton and Jason Ramsay.

Town had plenty of the ball in the early exchanges, but this wasted when the home side went 1-0 up after 13 minutes. A mistake by Matt Gearing let in Mark Bell who turned Liam Nicell to score from a tight angle.

Rugby immediately responded with David Staff having an effort comfortably saved by Richard Knight.

The visitors were struggling to get into a proper rhythm and were punished again just before the half hour mark when City doubled their lead, Andy Baird who was unmarked scoring with a header from the 6 yard box giving Bell no chance.

Town’s defensive frailties were again in evidence for the 3rd goal scored seven minutes from half time.

A good run down the wing from Matt Day saw his initial shot saved by Bell, but the ball rebounded to Oxford’s Bell, in plenty of space to score his second and give the home side a commanding lead going to the break.

Dobson made a triple substitution for the second half with Alondo Davis, Purton and Ramsay coming on for Gearing, Melvin and Donaghey hoping for better fortunes in the second period, with Davis nearly making a dramatic impact when an intended shot fizzed off David Kolodynski’s head wide of the post.

Rugby continued to try and penetrate the City defence but always came up against strong defending. They were better in the second half with Delroy Gordon having a rare foray forward with a header which went over the top of the bar.

Town’s night went from bad to worse when Andy Commander was sent off on 85 minutes for a tackle on former league player Craig Faulconbridge which appeared harsh but summed up the evening and sent the small band of fans who travelled hoping things will improve at Tiverton on Saturday.

Valley Line-up: Bell; Nicell, Commander, Herbert, Gordon; Gearing (Davis), Donaghey (Purton), Staff, Twigger, Melvin (Ramsay); Kolodynski. Subs not used: Thompson, Richards. Booked: Commander. Sent off: Commander.

Oxford City: Knight, Day, Perpetuini, Savage, Clarke, Baird, M.Bell, Alexis, Faulconbridge, Steele, Brooks. Subs Used: Caton, Fisher