RUGBY WIN AFTER SLOUGH START

Richard Wesley scored twice as Rugby Town came from behind to defeat a strong Slough Town at Holloways Park to cement their place in the Zamaretto Division One Central play-offs.

By Craig Webb.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Flying winger Richard Wesley is delighted to score his second of the afternoon and sixth of the season to seal the win on the day

Rugby stretched their run of good form with still just one league defeat all season with another dominant performance, particularly in the second half, to come away from Buckinghamshire with a victory.

Valley had to come through a sticky first period as the home side took the lead during an excellent spell of pressure mid-way through the half but two terrific counter-attacks produced goals from Luke Keen and Richard Wesley for Rugby's half time lead.

Wesley added his second and Rugby's third in the second half as Rugby confidently saw out the game.

With manager Martin Sockett back on the sidelines after a short illness last week, he named the same squad which battled so bravely in Stocksbridge with the in-form Luke Keen preferred to fellow striker Seb Hamilton.

The Rebels had the first sniff on goal as early as the 7th minute when Rugby keeper Dave Clarke made a good save from Danny Burnell.

Despite the open nature of the game, clear cut chances were at a premium in the first twenty minutes, although Wesley certainly had a good opportunity when played through on the angle but his low shot was well kept out by Ricky Perks.

Slough enjoyed a spell of possession after this with Clarke and the Valley back-line having to be sharp to see off numerous threats but the pressure eventually told as the hosts took the lead.

Striker Burnell turned well on the right hand side of the penalty area and squared a low cross for centre back Yiadom Yeboah to apply the easiest of finishes from close range.

The goal sparked Rugby into life and within just three minutes levelled through Keen who scored his sixth goal in four games.

Danny Phipps-Hall and Wesley played a sweet one-two on the edge of the area allowing midfielder Andy Gundelach to play a neat ball through to Keen whose instinctive low finish from the edge of the box fired past Perks.

Moments later, just as the crowd were thinking about half time, Wesley put Rugby into the lead to cap an incredible first half turnaround.

The goal was an example of superb counter attacking football as Rugby broke at pace culminating in Ben Steane finding Wesley to strike for goal from nearly the same position as Keen.

If the first half was pretty even in terms of play, Rugby turned more dominant in the next period and just before the hour mark Rugby made the game more comfortable with Wesley topping off an impressive game.

Moments after making an important goal-line block by Phipps-Hall, Dave Clarke's long ball was flicked on by Tyrone Fagan and with the goal keeper coming out of his area, Wesley slotted the ball home without any trouble.

Despite being two goals down mid-table Slough still tried to get back into the game with their best player Steve Sinclair having a few half chances but Clarke in the Rugby goal pulled off some great saves helped out by some strong defending.

Rugby had chances to extend the scoreline with Keen unlucky to see his volley saved by Perks after Steane's cross before Fagan nearly made it four just before the end, when a lovely ball from substitute Chad Sheppard was perfect for him but he blasted his effort off target.

Another confident performance from Town boding well for the many games ahead.

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

Slough Town : Perks, Sweeney, Murphy, Yeboah, Perkins, Seeby, Sinclair, Bateman, Burnell, Sonner, Sippetts.