INSPIRATION LACKING AT THE WOODS

Rugby Town kept their unbeaten away league record against North London side Northwood in a disappointing and dour stalemate at Northwood Park.

By Craig Webb.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Rugby's Melvin Gourlay was strong at the back alongside Niki Preston - a feature of both defences on the day

Valley could not find their normal attacking rhythm at all and although goalkeeper Dave Clarke was rarely troubled, Rugby could also not break down a resolute Northwood rearguard.

Manager Martin Sockett made some changes after the midweek defeat to Daventry Town with influential captain Niki Preston returning to the starting line up after injury, meaning Chris Charles dropping to the bench.

With Nick Heath playing in midfield in place of the unavailable Andy Gundelach, Danny Phipps-Hall started his first game in three.

As the game started, it was apparent that defences were going to be on top for the whole game with neither side creating any clear cut chances in the opening twenty minutes.

Preston nearly broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when his downward header towards goal was cleared off the line then just after the half hour mark, Richard Wesley's attempted shot was intercepted by a home defender and the ricochet forced a rare save from Takunda Marevesa.

The hosts did not have their first shot until the 41st minute, when Murray Wilkinson tried a low shot but it brought a comfortable save from Clarke.

The fans were hoping for much improved entertainment in the second half, but it really never materialised.

Northwood made slightly the better play in the early minutes with more forays into the Rugby area but not causing any problems.

The game came to life though on 55 minutes when all twenty-two players got involved in a pushing and shoving match.

It happened after Melvin Gourlay was fouled and he reacted, prompting the melee. Four players including three from Rugby were booked. From the resulting freekick, Wesley blasted over the bar.

The game was drifting midway through the second half with the match needing a spark to get it going and Northwood should have done better when hesitancy between their two strikers allowed the impressive Gary Moran to tackle and stop what was surely a decent chance for the home side.

Sockett replaced striker Seb Hamilton for new signing Luke Keen to bring some fresh impetus into the team, and he had an effort at goal on 72 minutes from the edge of the area but it was not a problem for Marevesa.

Neither side could muster a final push in the closing stages as the game petered out with the hosts seemingly happy with their afternoon's work.

A disappointing draw but still leaves Rugby in fifth place and only one defeat in their first ten league games.

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

Northwood: Marevesa, Raper, J Burgess, M Burgess, Urquhart, Christian, Page, Williamson, Kissule, Osei, Sharples.