PLAY-OFF CHANCES STILL A SLIM HOPE

Rugby Town kept their chances of reaching the play-offs very much alive with a much needed victory over their near rivals Bedfont Town at Orchard Park.

By Craig Webb.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Valley Celebrate taking an early lead in less than a minute of play

With the aeroplanes flying into Heathrow providing a spectacular backdrop to proceedings, Town put in a committed and confident performance to keep their season alive going into the final weekend as all of the goals came in an action-packed first half.

With Ben Steane and Nick Heath unavailable due to injury and illness respectively there were recalls to the side for Danny Hall and Gary Moran with new signing Papis Namdieyte on the substitute’s bench.

It was rather apt that Rugby made a flying start to the game going ahead after just 27 seconds. In recent games it has been Town conceding the early goal but this time, Seb Hamilton scored a cracking goal after receiving an accurate pass from Andy Gundelach midway through the half and tucked the ball under the goalkeeper Gary Ross’s legs into the bottom corner of the net.

The lead though only lasted just over 12 minutes when the home side equalised Glenn Garner. Midfielder Wayne O’Sullivan found space just outside the penalty area, he found Garner who with some power in his shot saw his effort glide past Dave Clarke.

The game was at a frenetic pace with action at either end and Tyrone Fagan missed a perfect opportunity to increase Rugby’s lead when he was off target after a cracking ball was sent over to him from Richard Wesley.

It was no surprise when Seb Hamilton got his second of the game in the 25th minute, when after receiving a glorious pass from Fagan, the striker had the momentum and confidence to shoot to leave Ross stranded and put Rugby in a strong position.

Unbelievably Valley scored a third within a minute of their second goal when Wesley pounced to shoot for his first goal since February after Bedfont were far too open at the back leaving lots of space for Rugby to exploit.

With ten minutes to play until half time the home side made a tactical replacement and it immediately paid off when they got back into the game through Louis Dennis.

After collecting a pass from Garner, Dennis saw his shot initially saved by Clarke but he couldn’t get a firm grip on the ball and momentum took it over the line much to the disappointment of the ever present keeper.

After a rampant first half it was no surprise the second half was a more subdued affair with neither side having many clear cut chances. O’Sullivan shot wide a rasping effort early in the half and Garner saw his downward header saved by Clarke.

For Rugby, captain Nik Preston had an effort shot over the bar and at the end of the game Claudiu Hoban should have crossed rather than shot which saw the ball hit the side netting.

With time ticking by, Rugby defended stoically to whatever Bedfont threw at them to claim a vital three points going into the final weekend of games at Easter.

Valley Line-up: Clarke; Moran, Hall, Preston, Gourlay; Hoban, Wesley, Gundelach, Connolly; Hamilton (Simpson), Fagan (Goodbody). Subs not used: Alexander, Namdieyte Booked: None Star Man: Andy Gundelach

Bedfont Town: Ross, Ataro, Hart, O’Brien, Lake, Barrie-Bates, McCluskey, O’Sullivan, Scott, Garner, Dennis.