COLDFIELD CLAIM CUP WIN

An understrength Valley fell at the first hurdle in the Red Insure sponsored Southern League Cup on Monday evening – going down to a Sutton side that themselves are struggling to make an impact in their own Midland regional division.

By RUGBYTOWNFC.COM.

Rugby went into the game without the services of Liam Nicell, Sean Castleton, Matt Gearing, David Staff and Andy Commander – and gave a first team debut to young Sam Burtwhistle as part of a make-shift back four in front of back-up keeper Danny Bell.

Burtwhistle’s fellow youth team colleague Josh Goodwin was also given a first start in senior colours on the left hand side of midfield, and it was he that had the first real chance of the game – missing out with a header in the opening ten minutes.

The lively Goodwin had another chance in a bright start by the visitors, during which time David Kolodynski also twice went close – including one glaring miss from no more than five yards out.

All this good early work was undone on 27 minutes however, when Ed Booth took advantage of a ball-watching Valley defence to side-foot home a cross from the right. The home side then kicked-on in the period leading up to the half-time whistle, and were unlucky not to add to their tally on a number of occasions.

Four minutes into the second period, Town’s lack of fortune this season was once more highlighted when after Delroy Gordon had struck a post from a Karl Fellows’ set-piece, the hosts broke quickly and Craig Owen finished off the move to make it two-nil.

Sutton substitute Junior Brown added a third with his first involvement of the game to underline his side’s general dominance, although Jason Ramsay did strike the underside of the crossbar with a well-struck effort from twenty yards late in the game.

The introduction of Kuda Chiseche late in the game completed a trio of first team debutants from Valley's youth set-up.

Valley Line-up: Bell, Simpson, Davis, Fellows (Herbert), Gordon, Burtwhistle, Richards, Youngs, Kolodynski, Ramsay, Goodwin (Chiseche). Subs not used: Stevens. Booked: None. Sent off: None.