VALLEY BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Rugby Town recorded a long overdue win against struggling Beaconsfield SYCOB at Holloways Park but the margin of victory should have been far greater.

By Craig Webb.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Valley's players celebrate Paddy Connolly's second half strike which ultimately sealed the points

The win represented the first in seven league games with a much improved performance despite a shocking start to the game for the visitors.

Manager Martin Sockett was down to just fifteen players to choose from with defender Melvin Gourlay missing injured through bruised ribs and striker Danny Edmond moving on to pastures new in search of first team football.

With the lack of goals and shortage of confidence, this match was an ideal opportunity to change that against a side struggling at the bottom end of the table but Town had a nightmare start after going behind after just 19 seconds.

Right from kick off, Ashley James took the ball forward and on the edge of area hit a superb shot which looped over Dave Clarke’s head into the top corner of the net.

After the disappointing start, Rugby had to improve and they did, with captain Nick Preston heading a shot straight into the keeper's hands.

Beaconsfield's Riccardo Cannon nearly doubled the home side’s advantage after 20 minutes but dragged his shot wide of Clarkes’ post.

Just after the half hour mark Rugby scored their first goal in over three hours of football when Tyrone Fagan scored for the first time since October.

Good work from Richard Wesley and Ben Steane ended in a fine pass to the striker who from a wide angle sent a searing volley beyond Carl Dennison and into the top corner.

If Beaconsfield started the first half the better, Rugby made a great start in the second period when within three minutes of the restart, they went into the lead for the first time.

Again midfielder Steane was involved his free-kick was pumped into the busy danger area, the keeper flapped, and the ball fell to Paddy Connolly to shoot into an empty net.

Within five minutes of the goal, Rugby had two chances to finish off their lowly opponents, with both Wesley seeing his shot go inches wide and Fagan forcing a fingertip save from Dennison from Luke Keen’s cross.

Midway through the second half, the game was halted for just over fifteen minutes when one of the linesmen had to retire due to injury and a replacement had to be found.

When play was restarted, Rugby continued to find the goal to confirm the win, but Wesley missed a glaring opportunity when in acres of space and one on one with the keeper the defence came back to snuff out the effort.

Rugby did get the ball into the net late on but the goal was disallowed due to an offside position though this was debatable amidst the scramble of players.

Town survived a scare in the final minute when Cannon should have scored a dramatic equalizer for the home side but saw his effort go inches wide of the post.

A confidence boosting win for Rugby which lifts the team up to 8th place and still much in contention for a play off spot.

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

Beaconsfield SYCOB : Dennison, Lake, Jacobs, Grant, Harper, Kirby, James, Pike, Shittu, Robinson, Cannon.