VALLEY STRUGGLE IN HIGH WINDS

Rugby Town were held to a draw at Barton Rovers although Luke Keen's goal ensured Valley continued their six match unbeaten streak.

By RUGBYTOWNFC.COM.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Valley striker Luke Keen slotted home a last minute penalty - his eleventh of the season - ending Hitchin's 35-game unbeaten league run

Town can count themselves lucky to have escaped with a draw from their fourth successive away match, although they did in fact take the lead in the game at Barton last Saturday.

Keen's sixth strike in five matches had opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, but a late Rovers equaliser pegged Valley back in a game played in a very strong cross-wind.

The home team adapted better to the conditions throughout against an unchanged Rugby starting line-up, and an early chance for Russell Bull should have sounded the warning signs for Martin Sockett’s side, with the Rovers dangerman making space for himself before adding a poor finish to the move.

Bilal Hassan was also looking threatening for Barton up-front, and he got in behind the Town defence after fifteen minutes only to see his shot well-blocked by Melvin Gourlay – who had been to blame for letting the striker escape in the first place.

Colm Kierans had another effort deflected away from the target by the head of Gary Moran, and Clarke kept out a further strike from Bull at the near post, as the hosts continued to dominate.

Clarke again denied Bull by turning his shot onto the upright, before the visitors only real chance of the half fell to Keen, who shot straight at home keeper Richard Wilmot after he had found space in the middle of the goal. The rebound fell to Tyrone Fagan, but he was muscled off the ball, and Barton cleared the danger.

There was still time for Danny Hall to block a header from Ricky Case on the goal-line, before the referee’s whistle signaled the end of a one-sided opening period.

Just seven minutes after the restart, Rugby gained the upper hand though when Dave Clarke’s long kick-upfield was headed on by a Barton defender and Keen latched onto the loose ball. His first shot was kept out by Williams, however the striker followed-up on the rebound to half-volley home.

After Valley’s goal, the game reverted to type though, with both Bull and Case making chances for themselves.
Hassan saw another effort deflected away by Gourlay, and the post came to save Town again after a neat strike on the up from Bull.

It was looking like Rugby would pull off an undeserved victory until in the 87th minute Andrew Iwediuno stooped to head Liam McDevitt’s cross into the back of net to leave the honours even at the end of the game.

Valley Line-up: Clarke; Moran, Phipps-Hall, Gourlay, Preston; Steane, Hamilton (Wesley), Connolly, Parsons (Goodbody); Fagan, Keen. Subs not used: Alexander, Masters. Booked: Preston. Sent Off: None.

Barton : Wilmot, Maltay, Iwediuno, Hull, McDevitt, Andrews, Case, Djuroke, Keirans, Hassan, Bull.