DIRECT BORO SHOW CLASS

Rugby Town's pre-season preparations continued with a home reversal against Blue Square North side Nuneaton Town.

By RUGBYTOWNFC.COM.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Centre midfielder Craig Civzelis heads away during the second half at Butlin Road

Once more the new-look Valley side were happy enough to stroke the ball around as they did against Blue Square Premier side Tamworth four days prior, but they struggled to break down a mean Nuneaton defence.

Martin Sockett named a largely unchanged line-up and the Valley boss would have been disappointed to see his side go behind from a set piece.

Boro's James Armson swung in a corner and midfielder Kyle Storer was left unmarked to head home past Rob Webb in the Rugby goal.

Early on it was fairly even despite the visitors taking an early lead but the introduction of former Rugby striker Justin Marsden as a first half substitute provided a different approach and he certainly made an impact.

Rugby did produce some good flowing attacking moves during the first half but were too often let down by a poor cross or final ball with Nuneaton goalkeeper Darren Acton able to gobble everything up that came his way.

As the first half wore on Marsden pace was evidently causing Valley's back four, with Niki Preston and Chris Charles at the centre, some problems and Nuneaton's direct approach was catching them out at times.

However, it was another corner that provided the second goal with the ball half cleared out of the area, Marsden was on hand to fire in a 20 yard half volley.

Two more goals followed soon after to kill the game off - firstly striker Chris Dillon finished off Danny Spencer's run and cross to make it three before former Coventry City winger Adam Walker showed good feet and composure to drive a low shot into the far corner of Webb's net.

Valley Line-up: Webb; Heath (Lowe), Sockett (Lee), Preston, Charles (Atkins); Civzelis, Sheppard, Steane, Connolly (Hall); Crawford (Edmond), Hamilton.