GREENBACKS SMASH & GRAB

Rugby suffered an agonising defeat with the last kick of the game in their first action for nearly three weeks on Bank Holiday Monday against their near rivals Bedworth United.

By Craig Webb.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Rugby's Ben Steane skips past former Valley midfielder Ben Twigger but it was Bedworth who had the final say in this match

With both teams eager to play after such a long period it wasn't a surprise that the first half lacked entertainment with the sides getting to grips with competitive football again.

Manager Martin Sockett opted for a 4-4-2 formation with with Luke Keen partnering Tyrone Fagan up front with Seb Hamilton operating from the right flank.

Despite the slow start, Rugby were clearly the better side trying to create chances on a sticky pitch.

A good through ball from Keen allowed Fagan to slip past a couple of defenders only for his shot to be smothered by home goalkeeper James Martin.

Just a few minutes later, again Keen played a cracking ball this time to Richard Wesley only for a home defender to kick out for a corner after the winger delayed his shot.

The home side’s first effort on goal was not until the 41st minute when defender Dean Rathbone scuffed his shot under pressure from the impressive Melvin Gourlay.

Bedworth came out for the second half the brightest with both Jacob Beith and Mark Williams having goalscoring opportunities albeit going over the bar causing Dave Clarke no problems.

This brought Rugby back to life and captain Nik Preston nearly gave Town the lead just before the hour mark when the ball came high over the defence and Preston climbed highest to strike the ball against the bar amidst the scramble. This turned out to be the closest Town got to score.

Striker Keen missed an ideal chance to score when good work from Hamilton found the striker in on goal but saw his shot go wide of the post.

The introduction of substitute Danny Edmunds livened up the attack for Rugby, but it was to no prevail because Bedworth dealt a cruel blow to Town when in the very last minute of the game they got the winning goal.

A long ball from inside the half and with sub Levi Ramsay onside he was one on one with Clarke and the goalkeeper initially saving but the ricochet fell to Ramsay who coolly slot the ball into the net to give the home fans something to cheer about.

A disappointing performance for Rugby going into the New Year but with plenty of games to catch up on they can keep the pressure on the other teams within the play off area.

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

Bedworth United: Martin, Twigger, Dainty, Rathbone, Cooper, Cartwright, M Williams, Beckley, Beith, Stanley, L Williams.