MARTIN WANTS MORE FROM FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE

Valley fell to a pre-season defeat against Midland Combination side Heather St John's.

By RUGBYTOWNFC.COM.

Manager Martin Sockett named a simliar XI to those that faced Nuneaton Town only 24 hours earlier at Butlin Road although there was the first inclusion of new defender Gilbert Cummins.

There was also a place in the starting line-up for Craig Thomas with Lee Thomas on the bench.

Valley started slowly and fell behind early on to a penalty with goalkeeper Rob Webb bringing down former Rugby striker Matt Brown.

Sockett was unhappy with his team's first half efforts and made this clear at the interval as Valley struggled to get going and reach the performance levels as against Tamworth on Saturday.

Seb Hamilton and Danny Edmond were on target for Rugby but this did not prevent a defeat as Heather netted another two to claim the victory.

Valley Line-up: Webb; Connolly, Charles, Cummins Preston, Lee (Sockett); Sheppard, Lowe (Hall), C Thomas (L Thomas); Hamilton (Edmond), Crawford.